Kia is ramping up its military vehicle ambitions with the development of a new combat-focused standard platform.
It says it will begin manufacturing prototypes of midsize vehicles before the year’s end and participate in evaluations run by the Korean government in 2021. The automaker hopes for military deployment from 2024, following standardization and initial production tests.
The program will see the replacement of 2.5-ton and 5-ton military standard vehicles currently in operation and the development of new 5-ton bulletproof vehicles.
These will be equipped with a range of technologies from Kia’s commercial fleet, including high-torque 7.0L diesels and automatic transmissions, ABS and Anti-Spin Regulator (ASR), Rear Parking Assist, Around View Monitor and satellite navigation.
Kia says its modular platform, which draws on chassis from the Kia Mohave SUV, could enable the development of other future derivatives including vehicles equipped with a range of weapons systems and those designed with more specialized specifications and technologies.
The All-Terrain Vehicles platform will not be restricted to military vehicles but also can be deployed in the industrial and leisure sectors.
Kia claims it is exploring autonomous driving technology for military vehicles which could assist with delivering supplies. On top of this, hydrogen-fuel-cell technology is being developed for both military vehicles and emergency power generators.
