Kia’s New Light Tactical Cargo Truck Concept Is Ready For Battle

Kia has showcased two concepts at the 2021 International Defense Exhibition & Conference (IDEX) event in the United Arab Emirates, the Light Tactical Cargo Truck and its Bare Chassis.

Designed in cooperation with Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration, the Light Tactical Cargo Truck is available in standard and long wheelbase form, with or without armor.

Depending on the configuration, it can serve different purposes, such as tactical commanding and reconnaissance, target observation, weapon installment and multi-purpose for supporting. Optimized for use by military forces, the long wheelbase unarmored variant can carry ten fully armed soldiers and up to 3 tons (6,614 lbs) of cargo in the rear. Furthermore, it can be modified to serve as a mobile workshop, communications center or cargo box.

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The example pictured has four seats and a cargo container that can be used for transporting troops and different gear.

Power is supplied by a diesel engine that meets the Euro 5 emission standard, produces 225 horsepower and is coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. It also has features such as a limited-slip differential, independent suspension, run-flat tires, electro-magnetic interference system and air conditioning.

Kia also displayed the Bare Chassis that shows the truck’s basic frame and powertrain and can serve as the basis for armored vehicles. The automaker, which has been supplying tactical models to the Korean army for the past five years, said that it is “actively developing vehicles based on the Bare Chassis for clients’ eclectic taste around the world.”

“Our participation at IDEX 2021 is an opportunity to promote Kia’s latest developments in the design of future defense vehicles”, said the brand’s Special Vehicle Division VP, Ik-tae Kim. “Both concepts on display have been developed to be highly flexible and durable, with the capability to be used in some of the world’s harshest environments.”