South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace revealed the K-NIFV at ADEX 2025, a next-generation infantry fighting vehicle developed to reduce costs, increase domestic production, and address new threats exposed by the war in Ukraine.
Based on the Redback design, already adopted by Australia, the K-NIFV brings improvements in protection, firepower, and autonomy, but with lower reliance on imported subsystems, reducing acquisition and operational costs.
The vehicle features an unmanned turret, expanding internal space to carry eight soldiers and additional cargo, while also offering a layered defense architecture against drones. Equipped with 30 mm or 40 mm cannons, a C-UAS radar, and an active protection system, the K-NIFV can detect and neutralize airborne threats at distances of up to four kilometers, including commercial drones and suicide munitions. Hanwha has also nationalized key components such as the remote weapon system, active protection, and main armament, reducing export restrictions.
The K-NIFV program began in October 2024 with a budget of 34.5 billion wons and is expected to be completed by March 2028. Hanwha is already offering the vehicle to replace the K200A1 in South Korean service and plans export negotiations with Romania, Italy, Norway, UAE, and Saudi Arabia.
The company is also designing a Block-2 version, with a hybrid powertrain and advanced situational awareness systems, aimed at replacing the K21 and strengthening the brand’s presence in the international armored vehicle market.
Source: Defence Blog | Photo: X @ELMObrokenWings | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
Hanwha Aerospace unveiled the K-NIFV fighting vehicle at ADEX 2025, developed from the Redback platform. The K-NIFV introduces AI-based layered drone defense, including radar-guided RCWS and an active protection system to counter threats from loitering munitions and small UAVs. pic.twitter.com/JClULjcKVt
— Valhalla (@ELMObrokenWings) October 21, 2025
