On Friday, December 9, a consignment of Kia Light Tactical Vehicle (KLTV) 4×4 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.
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 4×4 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 4×4 KM 420 vehicles and 4×4 Kia KM 450, 6×6 Kia KM 250 and 6×6 KM 500 military trucks began.