Combat vehicles / Armored personnel carriers / KIFV
KIFV
General Facts
- TYPE
Armored personnel carrier - ORIGIN
South Korea - NICKNAMES
MICV (Malaysian version) - DESIGNED
1981 - 1984 - DESIGNER
FMC Corporation - PRODUCTION
1985 - 2006 - PRODUCERS South Korea - Daewoo
- QUANTITY
2.383 including 111 for Malaysia - UNIT COST
Unknown - CHARACTERISTICS
Improved mobility over original AIFV
Parts interchangability among variants
Lacks firepower
Introduction
The KIFV is an armored personnel carrier of South Korean origin. It was developed in the early 1980's and is a further development of the US AIFV. The name KIFV stands for Korean Infantry Fighting Vehicle. Unlike most users of the AIFV South Korea never adopted a mechanized infantry combat vehicle version.
Layout
The KIFV has the same general layout as the AIFV. The two hatch arangement with the turret on the right is retained. Only several specialist vehicles having a single turret in the middle. The early batch KIFV already had a slightly better mobility than the original AIFV. The improved A1 model is the the standard production variant and introduces a steering wheel instead of tillers, a more power engine and a fully automatic transmission.
Firepower
The standard armored personnel carrier is armed with a 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun in a small one man turret on the right. Additionally a 7.62mm M60 machine gun on a pintle mount is fitted at the commander's hatch at the left. The KIFV variants include 81mm and 107mm mortar carriers and an air defense version with 20mm Vulcan turret as mounted on the US M163.
Protection
The KIFV has an aluminum hull with additional spaced steel armor on the sides. This protects the crew from small arms fire and shell splinters all around and from heavy machine gun rounds over the frontal arc. An NBC system is optional and six smoke grenade dischargers are fitted.
Mobility
The tracked chassis provides a good all terrain performance. A MAN 350 hp diesel engine provides propulsionin the A1 models. The maximum speed is 70 km/h and the operational range is 480 km. The KIFV is fully amphibious and propelled in the water by its tracks.
Users
The KIFV is the main armored personnel carrier in South Korean service with over 2.000 in service. The only export sale of the KIFV was to Malaysia.
K200
The K200 is the standard armored personnel carrier version of the KIFV and is the most produced variant. It is armed with a one man turret with 12.7mm M2HB machine gun and a pintle mounted 7.62mm M60 machine gun.
K200: Original armored personnel carrier version.
K200A1: K200 with improved mobility.
K200A1 ambulance: Unarmed ambulance version based on the K200.
K261A1: NBC reconnaissance vehicle based on the K200 with detection equipment at the rear.
| Type | Armored personnel carrier |
|---|---|
| Crew | 3 + 9 (commander, driver, gunner, 9 infantry) |
| Length | 5.49 m |
| Width | 2.85 m |
| Height | 1.93 m (hull top), 2.54 m (overall) |
| Ground clearance | 0.41 m |
| Weight | 10.7 t empty, 12.9 t combat load |
| Ground pressure | 0.63 kg/cm2 |
| Wheelbase | Tracked chassis, 5 roadwheels, drive sprocket front, idler rear, 0.38 m width |
| Turn radius | ? |
| Engine | MAN D2848T V8 diesel, 280 hp at 2.300 rpm |
| Power ratio | 21.7 hp/t |
|---|---|
| Transmission | T-300 semi-automatic, 7 forward, 7 reverse |
| Speed | 74 km/h on road, 6 km/h in water |
| Fuel | 400 L |
| Range | 480 km |
| Wall | 0.6 m |
| Trench | 1.7 m |
| Gradient | 60% gradient, 30% slope |
| Fording | Amphibious |
| Armor | Aluminum |
| NBC equipment | Optional |
| Night vision | Yes |
|---|---|
| Smoke | 6x smoke grenade launcher |
| Remarks | - |
| Armament | 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun 7.62mm M60 machine gun |
| Weapon1 | 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun on ring mount 100 rounds ready to fire, total number unknown manual elevation and traverse non-stabilized |
| Weapon2 | 7.62mm M60 machine gun on pintle mount 100 rounds ready to fire, total number unknown manual elevation and traverse non-stabilized |
| Weapon3 | - |
| Weapon4 | - |
| Weapon5 | - |
| Weapon6 | - |
| Type | Armored personnel carrier |
|---|---|
| Crew | 3 + 9 (commander, driver, gunner, 9 infantry) |
| Length | 5.49 m |
| Width | 2.85 m |
| Height | 1.93 m (hull top), 2.54 m (overall) |
| Ground clearance | 0.41 m |
| Weight | 11.0 t empty, 13.2 t combat load |
| Ground pressure | 0.64 kg/cm2 |
| Wheelbase | Tracked chassis, 5 roadwheels, drive sprocket front, idler rear, 0.38 m width |
| Turn radius | ? |
| Engine | MAN D2848T V8 diesel, 350 hp at 2.300 rpm |
| Power ratio | 26.5 hp/t |
|---|---|
| Transmission | X200-5K automatic, 4 forward, 1 reverse |
| Speed | 70 km/h on road, 6 km/h in water |
| Fuel | 400 L |
| Range | 480 km |
| Wall | 0.6 m |
| Trench | 1.7 m |
| Gradient | 60% gradient, 30% slope |
| Fording | Amphibious |
| Armor | Aluminum |
| NBC equipment | Optional |
| Night vision | Yes |
|---|---|
| Smoke | 6x smoke grenade launcher |
| Remarks | - |
| Armament | 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun 7.62mm M60 machine gun |
| Weapon1 | 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun on ring mount 100 rounds ready to fire, total number unknown manual elevation and traverse non-stabilized |
| Weapon2 | 7.62mm M60 machine gun on pintle mount 100 rounds ready to fire, total number unknown manual elevation and traverse non-stabilized |
| Weapon3 | - |
| Weapon4 | - |
| Weapon5 | - |
| Weapon6 | - |
K277
The K277A1 is an armored command post vehicle based on the K200. It has a raised roof can is fitted with tables, communications equipment and an NBC detection unit. A ring mounted 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun is fitted. A tent can be erected at the rear to increase the available space.
- Specifications:
- K277A1
| Type | Command post vehicle |
|---|---|
| Crew | 6 (driver, 5 operators) |
| Length | 5.5 m |
| Width | 2.85 m |
| Height | 2.5 m (hull top) |
| Ground clearance | 0.41 m |
| Weight | ? |
| Ground pressure | ? |
| Wheelbase | Tracked chassis, 5 roadwheels, drive sprocket front, idler rear, 0.38 m width |
| Turn radius | ? |
| Engine | MAN D2848T V8 diesel, 350 hp at 2.300 rpm |
| Power ratio | ? |
|---|---|
| Transmission | X200-5K automatic, 4 forward, 1 reverse |
| Speed | 70 km/h on road, 6 km/h in water |
| Fuel | 400 L |
| Range | 480 km |
| Wall | 0.6 m |
| Trench | 1.7 m |
| Gradient | 60% gradient, 30% slope |
| Fording | Amphibious |
| Armor | Aluminum |
| NBC equipment | Optional |
| Night vision | Yes |
|---|---|
| Smoke | 6x smoke grenade launcher |
| Remarks | - |
| Armament | 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun |
| Weapon1 | 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun on ring mount 100 rounds ready to fire, total number unknown manual elevation and traverse non-stabilized |
| Weapon2 | - |
| Weapon3 | - |
| Weapon4 | - |
| Weapon5 | - |
| Weapon6 | - |
K263
The K263A1 is the self-propelled anti-aircraft gun variant of the KIFV. It is fitted with the same turret as used on the US M163 Vulcan. The K263A1 is fitted with the range only radar on the right of the turret. The 20mm M168 minigun may also be used against ground targets.
- Specifications:
- K263A1
| Type | Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun |
|---|---|
| Crew | 4 (commander, driver, gunner, assistant) |
| Length | 5.49 m |
| Width | 2.85 m |
| Height | 2.92 m (overall) |
| Ground clearance | 0.41 m |
| Weight | 11.8 t empty, 13.2 t combat load |
| Ground pressure | 0.64 kg/cm2 |
| Wheelbase | Tracked chassis, 5 roadwheels, drive sprocket front, idler rear, 0.38 m width |
| Turn radius | ? |
| Engine | MAN D2848T V8 diesel, 350 hp at 2.300 rpm |
| Power ratio | 26.5 hp/t |
|---|---|
| Transmission | X200-5K automatic, 4 forward, 1 reverse |
| Speed | 70 km/h on road, 6 km/h in water |
| Fuel | 400 L |
| Range | 480 km |
| Wall | 0.6 m |
| Trench | 1.7 m |
| Gradient | 60% gradient, 30% slope |
| Fording | Amphibious |
| Armor | Aluminum |
| NBC equipment | Optional |
| Night vision | Yes |
|---|---|
| Smoke | 6x smoke grenade launcher |
| Remarks | - |
| Armament | 20mm M168 autocannon |
| Weapon1 | 20mm M168 autocannon in turret 1.850 rounds -5 to +80° elevation, powered 360° traverse, powered non-stabilized |
| Weapon2 | - |
| Weapon3 | - |
| Weapon4 | - |
| Weapon5 | - |
| Weapon6 | - |
K242
The K242 and K281 are mortar carriers based on the KIFV chassis. The mortar is mountd on a turntable at the rear and fires through large hatches in the roof. The crew and ammunition are carried within the vehicle. A baseplate is carried to use the mortar away from the vehicle. A 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun is fitted for self-defense.
K242A1: KIFV mortar carrier with 107mm M30 mortar.
K281A1: KIFV mortar carrier with 81mm mortar.
| Type | Self-propelled mortar |
|---|---|
| Crew | 5 (commander, driver, 3 mortar crew) |
| Length | 5.49 m |
| Width | 2.85 m |
| Height | 1.93 m (hull top), 2.54 m (overall) |
| Ground clearance | 0.41 m |
| Weight | 13.2 t combat load |
| Ground pressure | 0.64 kg/cm2 |
| Wheelbase | Tracked chassis, 5 roadwheels, drive sprocket front, idler rear, 0.38 m width |
| Turn radius | ? |
| Engine | MAN D2848T V8 diesel, 350 hp at 2.300 rpm |
| Power ratio | 26.5 hp/t |
|---|---|
| Transmission | X200-5K automatic, 4 forward, 1 reverse |
| Speed | 70 km/h on road, 6 km/h in water |
| Fuel | 400 L |
| Range | 480 km |
| Wall | 0.6 m |
| Trench | 1.7 m |
| Gradient | 60% gradient, 30% slope |
| Fording | Amphibious |
| Armor | Aluminum |
| NBC equipment | Optional |
| Night vision | Yes |
|---|---|
| Smoke | 6x smoke grenade launcher |
| Remarks | - |
| Armament | 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun |
| Weapon1 | 107mm M30 mortar in rear compartment 88 rounds max, normally 70 carried manual elevation and traverse, non-stabilized |
| Weapon2 | 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun on ring mount 100 rounds ready to fire, total number unknown manual elevation and traverse, non-stabilized |
| Weapon3 | - |
| Weapon4 | - |
| Weapon5 | - |
| Weapon6 | - |
| Type | Self-propelled mortar |
|---|---|
| Crew | 5 (commander, driver, 3 mortar crew) |
| Length | 5.49 m |
| Width | 2.85 m |
| Height | 1.93 m (hull top), 2.54 m (overall) |
| Ground clearance | 0.41 m |
| Weight | 12.9 t combat load |
| Ground pressure | 0.63 kg/cm2 |
| Wheelbase | Tracked chassis, 5 roadwheels, drive sprocket front, idler rear, 0.38 m width |
| Turn radius | ? |
| Engine | MAN D2848T V8 diesel, 350 hp at 2.300 rpm |
| Power ratio | 27.1 hp/t |
|---|---|
| Transmission | X200-5K automatic, 4 forward, 1 reverse |
| Speed | 70 km/h on road, 6 km/h in water |
| Fuel | 400 L |
| Range | 480 km |
| Wall | 0.6 m |
| Trench | 1.7 m |
| Gradient | 60% gradient, 30% slope |
| Fording | Amphibious |
| Armor | Aluminum |
| NBC equipment | Optional |
| Night vision | Yes |
|---|---|
| Smoke | 6x smoke grenade launcher |
| Remarks | - |
| Armament | 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun |
| Weapon1 | 81mm M29 mortar in rear compartment 114 rounds max, normally 99 carried manual elevation and traverse non-stabilized |
| Weapon2 | 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun on ring mount 100 rounds ready to fire, total number unknown manual elevation and traverse, non-stabilized |
| Weapon3 | - |
| Weapon4 | - |
| Weapon5 | - |
| Weapon6 | - |
K288
The K288A1 is an armored recovery vehicle based on the KIFV. It is fitted with a 10 t winch that can be double rigged for a 20 t capacity. A 6t crane is located at the rear of the of the vehicle which may be used to change engine blocks. Additionally tools and spare parts are carried. Two outriggers are fitted at the rear for use when operating the winch. A ring mounted 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun is fitted for self-defense.
- Specifications:
- K288A1
| Type | Armored recovery vehicle |
|---|---|
| Crew | 4 (commander, driver, 2 pioneers) |
| Length | 5.93 m |
| Width | 2.91 m |
| Height | 1.83 m (hull top), 3.05 (stowed crane) |
| Ground clearance | 0.41 m |
| Weight | 12.8 t empty, 14.5 t combat load |
| Ground pressure | 0.75 kg/cm2 |
| Wheelbase | Tracked chassis, 5 roadwheels, drive sprocket front, idler rear, 0.38 m width |
| Turn radius | ? |
| Engine | MAN D2848T V8 diesel, 350 hp at 2.300 rpm |
| Power ratio | 24.1 hp/t |
|---|---|
| Transmission | X200-5K automatic, 4 forward, 1 reverse |
| Speed | 65 km/h on road, 6 km/h in water |
| Fuel | 400 L |
| Range | 280 km |
| Wall | 0. m |
| Trench | 1.7 m |
| Gradient | 60% gradient, 30% slope |
| Fording | Amphibious |
| Armor | Aluminum |
| NBC equipment | Optional |
| Night vision | Yes |
|---|---|
| Smoke | 6x smoke grenade launcher |
| Remarks | 10 t winch, 6 t crane |
| Armament | 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun |
| Weapon1 | 12.7mm M2HB heavy machine gun on ring mount 100 rounds ready to fire, total number unknown manual elevation and traverse non-stabilized |
| Weapon2 | - |
| Weapon3 | - |
| Weapon4 | - |
| Weapon5 | - |
| Weapon6 | - |
Media
107mm M30 mortar
The M30 mortar is carried by the K242A1 self-propelled mortar.
81mm M29 mortar
The M29 mortar is carried by the K281A1 self-propelled mortar.
M163 Vulcan
The South Korean K263 uses the M163 Vulcan turret on the KIFV chassis.