In a new milestone for South Korea’s defense industry and its relations with Peru, it has been confirmed that the K808 White Tiger from the South Korean company Hyundai Rotem has been selected as the future 8×8 Wheeled Armored Combat Vehicle (WACV) for the Peruvian Army. The recent announcement, made yesterday, May 2nd, paves the way to commence negotiations between Peruvian authorities and the company to formalize a contract worth approximately $60 million.
Throughout 2023, it was revealed that the Peruvian Army was considering and evaluating different proposals to progress in the incorporation of a new WACV. Among the proposals considered was one presented by the South Korean companies Hyundai and STX Corporation, which included the provision of 30 new 8×8 WACV K808 White Tigers (referred to as Baekho by the South Korean Army). Other offers from different countries were also considered, such as the Turkish company FNSS with its 8×8 WACV PARS.
Heading into the final stretch of last year, the Peruvian government indicated its official intent to proceed with the realization of this army re-equipment program. This was manifested by the authorization for the signing of government-to-government agreements, as reflected in Supreme Decree No. 007-2023-DE entitled: “Acquisition of 30 armored vehicles for troop transport with wheeled troop carriers for the 3rd and 6th Armored Brigades of the Army – State-to-State – PP 0135.” This authorization encompassed an investment and disbursement of S/ 238,800,000.00 (approximately $62,968,360.00) within the framework of the General List of Contracts considered strategic in terms of National Security and Defense.
With this background, on May 2nd, Hyundai Rotem confirmed the selection of its proposal, being declared as the “preferred negotiator in the project for the supply of wheeled armored vehicles K808 ‘Baekho’ for the Peruvian Army.”
The South Korean company has highlighted that, if agreements are formalized, this marks the first official export of their 8×8 WACV K808, which currently has the South Korean Army as its primary and only operator through a wide range of variants ranging from personnel transport, command post, to specialized versions in short-range air defense.
Named Baekho or White Tiger, this vehicle is a development of Hyundai Rotem initiated in the early 2000s to provide a new armored platform to the South Korean Armed Forces. As expressed, the armored vehicle can be offered in 6×6 and 8×8 traction versions. In the official statement regarding the selection of the WACV, it is stated: “The K808 exported to Peru has various additional features compared to the K806, which enables it to offer optimal performance even in challenging operational environments on the battlefield. It is equipped with run-flat tires that allow handling even after a puncture and an automatic tire pressure adjustment device (CTIS) that automatically adjusts tire pressure according to surface conditions. Additionally, it is capable of fording rivers thanks to an aquatic propulsion system.”
Furthermore: “Besides, the wheeled armored vehicles have been designed from the development stage to be modular and can be equipped with various weapons and equipment according to the mission. In fact, Hyundai Rotem has already delivered wheeled command vehicles based on networks that allow real-time unit command.”
*Photographs used for illustrative purposes.
You may also like: With cooperation from the USA, the Peruvian Air Force prepares its KAI KT-1P aircraft to resume the fight against drug trafficking
