Transport for armed forces are required to be very tough and reliable, given the sort of conditions they are going to be used in. As such, they would usually have proven and mature engineering and technology, not necessarily the latest or most advanced. However, automobile technology is changing significantly with the move towards electric vehicles, autonomous driving and alternative fuels. Therefore, even development of military vehicles will have to move in this direction.
Business with the military is often confidential for security reasons but Kia Motors has provided some insights into the future vehicles it is developing for the Korean military. A mid-sized standard vehicle development project 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.
Joint investment project with miltary
The project is a joint investment by the Korean military and Kia Motors. Prototypes are expected to be running before the end of this year and undergo rigorous evaluations in 2021. The company’s goal is to begin supplying the new vehicles for military deployment from 2024
The standard vehicles will be equipped with a range of the commercial technologies, including high-torque 7-litre diesel engines and automatic transmission systems, ABS and Anti-Spin Regulator. Other features will include Rear Parking Assist, Around View Monitor and satellite navigation.
Modular approach
Kia is using a modular approach to developing new vehicles on the platform so as to be able to develop variants in future. These would be vehicles equipped with a range of weapons systems, and those designed with more specialized specifications and technologies.
The company has developed a conceptual brief for its new military all-terrain vehicles (ATV). These will not only be deployed for military purposes but will also be used in various fields, such as industrial and leisure sectors, drawing on bare chassis from the robust Kia Mohave SUV. The company will also apply technology and know-how from military vehicle development to improve the durability of its road-going SUVs.
Autonomous vehicles
The advanced R&D covers autonomous driving technology for military vehicles which could assist with delivering supplies. Additionally, Kia is exploring the potential for hydrogen fuel cell technology across diverse military applications, including fuel cell vehicles and emergency power generators. Fuel cell technology is considered suitable for future military vehicles as it can supply large amounts of electricity in combat environments.
To-date, Kia has supplied 9 model types and 100 derivatives, and produced a total of 140,000 military vehicles. It created Korea’s first multipurpose tactical vehicle and established a full line-up production system for military vehicles ranging from small to large segments.
At the start of 2020, Kia announced its ‘Plan S’ mid to long-term strategy, encompassing a range of diversified business activities which include the development of Purpose-Built Vehicles (PBVs). Kia’s plans for PBV development are based on small-volume production of specialist, similar to the way in which military vehicles are developed.
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