Another Variant Model of the K200 Armored Personnel Carrier

[Monthly Defense Times Editor-in-Chief An Seung-beom] Another utilization plan for the K200A1 armored vehicle is the proposal of an engineer armored vehicle version. Similar to the soon-to-be initial mass-produced K600 obstacle breaching tank, this concept envisions interchangeable front attachments such as mine-clearing rollers, mine/IED detectors, and dozer blades. It will also be equipped with terrain reconnaissance equipment that automatically detects terrain data during movement and transmits it to the command post via TMMR, as well as passage marking equipment that indicates cleared routes after mine/IED removal and construction.

Currently, engineer units under mechanized infantry divisions and armored brigades operate the basic version of the K200A1 armored vehicle, identical to regular mechanized infantry battalions. Once this version is operational, it will finally be possible to operate an armored vehicle tailored to engineer missions.

▲ MICLIC Armored Vehicle Version = MICLIC (Mine-Clearing Line Charge) is minefield breaching equipment used for mechanized units’ advance routes. Despite being used for dangerous missions, there is no self-propelled platform for this equipment, which is currently operated by loading it on a dedicated trailer and towing it with vehicles such as the KM9ACE armored combat dozer.

The Republic of Korea Armed Forces’ first self-propelled MICLIC can be considered the soon-to-be initial mass-produced K600 obstacle breaching tank. However, this vehicle operates MICLIC as one of the means for route breaching and is not a dedicated MICLIC platform.

Therefore, a plan has been proposed to mount two sets of MICLIC on the K200A1 armored vehicle as a fully self-propelled MICLIC platform. Compared to the existing towed type, this would provide superior mobility and protection, as well as amphibious capability, enhancing survivability and operational convenience on the modern battlefield.

▲ Extended Chassis Multipurpose Armored Vehicle Version = Amid ongoing reorganizations of armored and mechanized units, this is a new concept equipment proposal that can be secured with minimal acquisition time and cost by utilizing existing equipment. It suggests modularly upgrading the currently operated K200A1 armored vehicle platform into a common platform capable of performing multipurpose missions.

This proposal evolved from considerations for a mine-laying vehicle to be operated by mechanized units, noting that existing wheeled support vehicles for fuel supply, communication equipment, and ammunition transport have limited accessibility in mountainous and rough terrain. The design thus developed into a multipurpose modular concept.

The design plan involved cutting the rear of the K200A1 armored vehicle to mount a mine-laying unit, but due to insufficient mounting space, expansion was deemed necessary. Accordingly, an additional rear axle (increasing the number of road wheels from 5 to 6 and extending the axle spacing by 666mm) is added to the front of the K200A1 to lengthen the battlefield footprint and secure additional space.

This approach is similar to the extended chassis development of the K30 Biho and Cheonma, which were based on the K200 armored vehicle chassis. Besides Biho and Cheonma, there was also the case of the K255 ammunition transport armored vehicle, once considered as an ammunition supply vehicle for the K55 self-propelled howitzer. The extended chassis multipurpose armored vehicle is being considered not only as the initially planned mine-laying vehicle but also for communication equipment carriers, fuel supply vehicles, and ambulances. Since it requires extending the existing K200A1 armored vehicle chassis, it may be more economical to produce new vehicles rather than upgrading existing ones.