The Kia Light Tactical Vehicle (KLTV) is a third-generation vehicle developed by Kia Motors Corporation, a company based in South Korea. The Light Tactical Vehicle was developed by Kia Motors to meet a South Korean MoD requirement. It is also referred as the KM1. The 4×4 vehicle is offered for South Korean Armed Forces and export customers. The Light Tactical Vehicle was developed by Kia Motors to meet a South Korean MoD requirement. Development was funded by the South Korean MoD. It broadly similar to the US High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV; colloquial: Humvee). Also the Kia Light Tactical Vehicle resembles IVECO LMV and Navistar Saratoga. This next generation military vehicle might be produced in quantity since 2016. The KLTV was displayed for the first time at International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) 2015 held in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Serial production of the vehicle began in 2016. The versatile vehicle is suitable for a range of missions, including transportation of troops, patrolling, command and control, reconnaissance, and logistics operations.
Two wheelbase versions of the vehicle are offered; namely standard and stretched. The standard armoured command version accommodates four personnel, whereas the long wheelbase variant offers enough space to carry up to eight troops and specialised equipment. Various versions of the Kia Light Tactical Vehicle have already been developed, including command vehicle, reconnaissance vehicle, artillery observation vehicle, maintenance vehicle, communications equipment vehicle and other. This multi-purpose vehicle can be also configured to suit other roles.
The modular base chassis of the Kia light tactical vehicle can be configured into a number of mission variants, including multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), armoured reconnaissance vehicle (ARV), command vehicle, communication equipment vehicle, and shop van. The robust design delivers high-mobility and survivability.
The KLTV can be fitted with roof-mounted weaponry such as a machine gun or an automatic grenade launcher. Gun ports on either side of the hull allow the aiming and firing of individual weapons carried by the occupants. The bullet-resistant body made of composite materials is fitted with metal sheets and bulletproof glass on windows. The vehicle offers protection against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters, while the floor is anticipated to offer protection against blasts.The run-flat tyre inserts allow the vehicle to travel up to 48km at a speed of 48km/h in the event of tyre damage. The vehicle can carry troops and cargo in cross-country and desert conditions with temperatures ranging between 32°C and 43°C. A depth of up to 76cm can be handled by the vehicle, as can a side slope of 40% and a gradient of 60%. It has a maximum speed of 130km/h and can attain a range of 600km.
Kia Light Tactical Vehicle variants:
KLTV141 Armored Command Vehicle is a flexible tactical vehicle for commanding missions.
KLTV181 Armored Personnel Carrier is a flexible tactical vehicle for safe troop carrying.
KLTV182 Armored Reconnaissance Vehicle is an agile reconnaissance vehicle for day and night missions.
KLTV280 Multi Purpose Vehicle is a multi purpose vehicle for target observation or any other functional mission.
KLTV204 Shop Van is a field shop van with wide variety of maintenance tools and spare parts.
KLTV240 Cab Chassis Truck is a cab chassis truck that provides versatility for various add-on superstructure modules.
