Will Wheeled Armored Vehicles Mark Their Export to Peru?

President Yoon Departs for APEC in Peru
K-808's First Export and Likely First Entry into Latin America

President Yoon Suk-yeol's visit to Peru is expected to lead to the signing of the main contract for 30 units of the K-808 ‘Baekho’ wheeled armored vehicles. This marks the first export of the K-808 and the first entry of domestically produced combat armored vehicles into the Latin American market.

Yonhap News

On the afternoon of the 14th, President Yoon will depart for Peru to attend the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) summit. During the Korea-Peru summit on the 16th, it is expected that not only a memorandum of understanding (MOU) but also the final approval for defense exports will be secured. Lee Yong-bae, president of Hyundai Rotem, and Kang Gu-young, president of Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), are included in the delegation, raising expectations for achievements in K-defense exports.

Hyundai Rotem signed a strategic partnership agreement with the Peruvian Army Ordnance Factory in May. Upon finalizing the contract, the wheeled armored vehicles will be supplied to the Peruvian Army through STX. The contract is expected to be worth 60 million USD (approximately 84 billion KRW).

Peru, located along the Andes Mountains, is a country with great geographical diversity including coastal areas, highlands, and tropical rainforests. The K-808 is an infantry fighting armored vehicle capable of rapid troop transport even in front-line rough terrain, based on excellent mobility. The K-808 is an 8-wheeled infantry fighting vehicle that can carry a total of 11 personnel, including 2 crew members and 9 infantry soldiers. Its top speed is 100 km/h, and it is equipped with tactical tires that can maintain speeds above 48 km/h even if punctured. It also features a water propulsion system that allows it to cross rivers at about 8 km/h.

KAI is aiming to export the FA-50 light attack aircraft to Peru. Peru is considering purchasing 20 to 24 FA-50s for 780 million USD (approximately 1 trillion KRW). KAI may undertake groundwork for local joint production and parts co-production of the FA-50. A defense industry official said, "With President Yoon’s visit to Peru, we expect achievements in various fields of K-defense, including land, sea, and air."