One of the KAAV7A1 delivered to the Philippines, with this example photographed before shipment. Photo c/o DefenseTimes.kr Korean defense page.













The first batch of four (4) Hanwha Defense Systems (HDS) KAAV7A1 amphibious assault vehicles ordered by the Philippines' Department of National Defense (DND) for the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) were confirmed to have arrived in Manila's international port.





Photos of the vehicles in a port holding area were posted by Philippine defense page MaxDefense Philippines, and it was later confirmed that they were shipped out to the headquarters of the PMC on 09 May 2019.





A total of eight (8) vehicles were ordered by the DND in 2016 from South Korean company Hanwha Techwiin in a deal worth around US$55.6 million. Hanwha holds a production license from BAE Systems to build the AAV7 amphibious assault vehicle.





The next batch of four (4) more KAAV7A1 is said to be for delivery by August 2019, and are in advanced stages of construction.





It was reported by South Korean media BizHankook that the first batch of AAVs for the Philippines were shipped on April 2019. It is believed that the vehicles arrived in Manila only recently.





The amphibious assault vehicles appears to be armed with the Up-Gunned Weapon Station (UGWS) for a 12.7mm heavy machine gun and 40mm automatic grenade launcher, and the Enhanced Applique Armor Kit (EAAK) similar to the BAE Systems AAV7A1 used by the US Marine Corps.











