The Core Armored Vehicle of the Korean-Style Striker Brigade, 'K808'

[Monthly Defense Times Editor-in-Chief An Seung-beom] The K808 wheeled armored vehicle, currently being introduced by the Army, is now in its second phase of mass production. Hyundai Rotem has secured an order worth 407.7 billion KRW for the third phase of mass production and plans to proceed with manufacturing.

Although vehicles deployed in the field have experienced engine shutdown defects during operation, these issues are expected to be fully resolved by around May next year. Initially, it was reported that the 6×6 model K806 had a higher ratio, but in reality, the K808 model is being more widely deployed at a ratio of about 5:1. Currently, the 6×6 K806 wheeled armored vehicles have been deployed in the field starting with the 37th Division, followed by rear-area divisions such as the 31st and 39th Divisions.

As part of the infantry mobility plan under the Army’s 'Baekdusan Tiger System (The Korea Army TIGER System 4.0)' targeting 2030, the K808 is being deployed mainly to key frontline and Seoul metropolitan area units.

Starting with the 25th Division, units under the Capital Defense Command and frontline units such as the Baekgol Unit 3rd Division, Cheongseong Unit 6th Division, Baekma Unit 9th Division, Beongae Unit 17th Division, and Yulgok Unit 22nd Division have been fielded with the K808. Vehicles from the 9th Division, which first deployed this vehicle, participated in the DX KOREA event. The deployment of the K808 wheeled armored vehicle in frontline divisions is accelerating the restructuring of unit organization in line with defense reforms.

It gives the impression of the U.S. Army’s creation of the Stryker Brigade about 15 years ago. Frontline division regiments are being reorganized into brigades. By the end of 2021, regiments will no longer exist in frontline divisions, which will be fully organized as brigades. It is no exaggeration to say that the introduction of the K808 wheeled armored vehicle and small tactical vehicles has provided the driving force for this reorganization.

The main mounted firepower of the K808 wheeled armored vehicle is the K4 automatic grenade launcher. Unlike mechanized units, driver training is conducted at the Comprehensive Logistics School’s transportation corps.