The Chilean Army has expanded its fleet of South Korean-made Kia Light Tactical Vehicles (KLTVs) with the delivery of a new variant designed for communications operations.
The latest transfer adds to Chile’s growing inventory of KLTVs, which have been in service with both the Army and Marine Corps since 2022.
According to Chilean Army officials, the III Mountain Division began receiving the new KLTV280/4×4 vehicles on June 22. This variant, based on the multipurpose KLTV280 platform, has been integrated into the division’s communications units and will be included in Chile’s joint command-and-control system. While the KLTV280 is also known domestically in South Korea as the K154 observation vehicle, Chile’s version has been equipped with military-grade communications systems instead of forward observation gear.
The KLTV280 is powered by a 225-horsepower diesel engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It has a top speed of 130 km/h and features a high-clearance 4×4 chassis designed for off-road performance. Its dimensions — approximately 4.9 meters in length, 2.2 meters in width, and 2.3 meters in height — make it suitable for rough terrain and narrow mountain routes.
The Chilean military plans to use the vehicle to rapidly deploy communications networks in high-altitude terrain, including the Andes Mountains. The country’s geography presents considerable challenges for ground-based connectivity and command support. According to the Army, the addition of KLTV280s will help close that gap by improving real-time battlefield communication in areas where signal access has traditionally been restricted.
“The introduction of the KLTV is not just a technical upgrade — it will enhance the capability of the III Mountain Division’s communications forces,” a Chilean Army official said. “The KLTV offers mobility, resilience, and flexibility. It’s becoming an essential piece of equipment for soldiers operating in mountainous terrain.”
Chile previously introduced the KLTV181 and KLTV182 variants for Marine Corps use, but this is the first confirmed fielding of the KLTV280 by a mountain division. The KLTV series — often referred to as the “Korean Humvee” — has been steadily gaining traction among international operators looking for high-performance utility vehicles with modular mission support capacity.
South Korea has positioned the KLTV as a modern alternative to legacy 4×4 tactical platforms. Built by Kia, the platform supports a range of configurations, including command vehicles, reconnaissance, communications, and weapons carriers.