South Korean army plans to deploy 600 Hyundai Rotem wheeled armored vehicles. The Wheeled Armored Vehicle by Hyundai Rotem or WAV platform (also named «Yong») began development in 2012.
The Korean army plans to deploy 600 wheeled 6×6 and 8×8 armored vehicles from 2016 until 2020. These will replace tracked armored vehicles in the rapid deployment and internal security roles.
The 8×8 Wheeled Armored Vehicle is an infantry combat vehicle that is fitted with a 420hp diesel engine developed by Hyundai Motors, 7-speed transmission and 2-mode secondary transmission. Capable of moving on both land and water, it has been engineered to maximize crew operability with its ergonomic design and scalability to family vehicles.
Without additional layers of protections or modules, the basic WAV will have at least STANAG IV armor. A combination of a bilge pump and twin water jet propellers at the rear hull allows for amphibious crossings at either 8 or 10 km/h. The WAV configured as an APC carries nine passengers, who enter via a rear hydraulic ramp, and two crew. A pair of side doors and a driver’s hatch allow access to the front. Four additional hatches are behind the turret.
