Chilean Marines receive armored KLTV Kia Light Tactical Vehicles.

On Friday, December 9, a consignment of Kia Light Tactical Vehicle (KLTV) 4x4 light armored vehicles for the Marine Corps (CIM) of the Chilean Navy disembarked at the DP World San Antonio port terminal in the Valparaíso Region.
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KIA Light Tactical Vehicle APC unveiled at IDEX 2015 in the United Arab Emirates (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The KLTVs were acquired as part of a requirement that the institution formulated to equip Marine Infantry personnel deployed in the provinces of Arauco and Biobío with light armored vehicles within the framework of the State of Emergency Constitutional Exception in force in these areas due to serious and repeated acts of violence and terrorist attacks.

According to images published on social networks, the Korean light tactical vehicles correspond to the KLTV181 troop transport version. These new vehicles will replace the unarmored 4x4 Kia KM 420 vehicles in patrol work in the two provinces of the Biobío Region.

The Marine Corps has been operating Kias since 1986. That year, eight KM 414 4x4s were purchased as platforms for a 105mm recoilless gun and two KM 414s for communications. Subsequently, starting in the 2000s, the incorporation of 4x4 KM 420 vehicles and 4x4 Kia KM 450, 6x6 Kia KM 250 and 6x6 KM 500 military trucks began.

KLTV 4x4

The KLTV 4x4 family of light tactical vehicles was designed by Kia to meet the needs of the South Korean Armed Forces. The project had the assistance and financing of the Ministry of National Defense of that Asian country and production began in June 2016. This model is also in service in the Philippines, Mali, Nigeria and Turkmenistan.

The KLTV 4x4 catalog includes the KLTV141 command version, KLTV181 armored personnel carrier, KLTV182 armored reconnaissance vehicle, KLTV280 multipurpose, KLTV204 workshop, KLTV240 chassis for additional superstructure modules and special vehicles equipped with shelter, machine gun or missile, NBC reconnaissance and cargo transportation.

The KLTV181 carries a driver and three passengers. It has a total length of 4,90m, a total width of 2,19m, a total height of 2,35m and a ground clearance of 42cm. It has a fording depth of 76cm, an approach angle of 62° and a departure angle of 48°. The vehicle weighs 5,700 kilos, with a 1-ton payload. The vehicle has a Euro 5 model S2 turbocharged diesel engine of 2,959cc developing 225 HP at 3,200 RPM and a maximum torque of 51 kg.m at 1,750 RPM. It has an 8-speed automatic transmission. The maximum speed of the KLTV181 is 130 km/h and it has a range of 640 km.

This version has air conditioning, all-wheel drive (AWD), independent suspension, 315/85R16 tires with Run Flat system, Stanag 4569 armor against small arms fire and artillery fragments, ABS brakes and a rear camera, among other features.

KIA KLTV 181 Emirates (Picture source: Kia)