Rotem, prime contractor for the K1 and K2 Main Battle Tanks, has developed to the prototype stage the KW1 Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV)) (6×6) and the KW2 Armoured Combat Vehicle (ACV) (8×8).

These 6×6 and 8×8 vehicles have been developed by the company to meet the potential requirements of the Republic of Korea Army for which there is an ongoing competition with a number of other South Korean companies also competing for this requirement.

By late 2007, a number of prototypes of the KW1 ICV and KW2 ACV had been completed and put through a series of trials but as far as it is known neither of these had entered quality production.

The hull of the KW2 ACV is of all-welded armour construction that provides the occupants with protection from small arms fire and shell splinters. Appliqué armour could be fitted for a higher level protection.

The driver is seated towards the front on the right side with the diesel powerpack to the left. The driver has a single-piece hatch cover above which opens to the rear and in front of this are three day periscopes. The middle one can be replaced by a passive periscope for driving at night.

The two-person power-operated turret is mounted in the middle of the hull with the gunner on the left and commander on the right with both provided with a single-piece hatch cover that opens to the rear.

The gunner has a roof-mounted day/night sight plus periscopes that give observation to the front, sides and rear. The commander has a roof-mounted stabilised day/night sight plus periscopes that give observation to front, sides and rear. The commander's panoramic periscope probably gives the vehicle a hunter killer capability.

Main armament comprises a stabilised 30 mm dual feed cannon with a 7.62 mm machine gun mounted co-axial. In addition there is a bank of four electrically operated smoke grenade launchers mounted either side of the turret firing forwards.

The troop compartment is at the rear and the troops enter and leave via a large power-operated ramp in the hull rear that is also provided with an emergency door.

The troops are seated on individual seats down either side of the hull facing inwards. These seats are provided with seat belts and can be folded up to allow cargo or other equipment to be rapidly loaded. Over the rear troop compartment are two roof hatches that open left and right.

External stowage boxes are provided either side of the rear troop compartment that could, if required, be fitted with vision devices and associated firing ports.

Standard equipment for the KW2 ACV includes two waterjets mounted one either side under the hull rear for amphibious operations, powered steering, central tyre inflation system, run flat tyres, automatic fire detection and suppression system, digital driver's display, integrated air conditioning system and a rear view camera mounted above the rear powered ramp.

This has a similar layout to the KW2 but is shorter and lighter and has a different roof hatch arrangement.

On the KW1, the circular commander's position is to the rear of the driver's station and has a single-piece hatch cover that opens to the rear and periscopes for all round observation.

To the left of the commander's station is an overhead weapon station (OWS) that is typically armed with a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher with a bank of electrically operated smoke grenade launchers below.

The troop compartment is at the rear and above this are two large roof hatches that open left and right. Mounted above the very rear of the troop compartment is a pintle-mounted 7.62 mm machine gun.