<p>An armor applique system for supplementing the integrated armor of an amphibious vehicle without increasing the effective weight of the vehicle in water. A plurality of armored modules individually are affixed to the hull of an amphibious vehicle, each module having an armor element and a buoyant element sized to offset at least the weight of the armor element when the module is submerged in water. The modules can be arranged to align with the armor elements of neighboring modules and create a nearly continuous armor layer over a layer of buoyant elements and the hull. The modules can be provided in a plurality of different shapes and sizes such that the armor layer can be customized approximate to shape and size of the portion of the hull to prove protected.</p>