Home Asia Pacific GDELS, Hanwha land South Korean amphibious bridging vehicle deal

GDELS, Hanwha land South Korean amphibious bridging vehicle deal

M3 amphibious bridge for ROK Army
Photo: GDELS

Republic of Korea’s Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has awarded General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) and Hanwha Defense Corporation (HDC) a contract for the delivery of 110 amphibious bridging vehicles for the Republic of Korea Army.

Under the Korean Amphibious Bridging Vehicle (KABV) program, the GDELS M3 amphibious bridge & ferry system will be localized to meet specific Korean requirements and will be designated M3K.

According to GDELS, the M3 is the “world’s fastest and most capable amphibious bridge and ferry system based on load capacity, assembly time and maneuverability, both on water and land.”

The system is already operated by the militaries of Germany, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, Singapore and Indonesia.

With more than 1.3 km of bridge length, the Republic of Korea Army will operate the largest M3 fleet.

Photo: GDELS

“We are very delighted that the Republic of Korea is the fourth Asian customer to select our M3 as their future amphibious bridge and ferry system,” said Dr. Thomas Kauffmann, GDELS’s vice president of international business and services. “It reconfirms the unique bridging capabilities of the M3 and demonstrates the essential importance of tactical bridging for modern armies in terms of interoperability and military mobility.”

“From an industrial point of view, this project is a great success for our employees here in Kaiserslautern,” said Dr. Christian Kauth, vice president and managing director of GDELS-Bridge Systems. “We have established an excellent collaboration with our Korean partner Hanwha.”