Kia said on the 15th it will take part in Eurosatory 2026, the world's largest defense industry exhibition, and showcase a range of military vehicles. It is Kia's first appearance at Eurosatory in 10 years since 2016.
Launched in 1967, Eurosatory is one of the world's largest defense industry exhibitions and marks its 29th edition this year. This year, it runs in Paris, France, from the 15th to the 19th, with more than 2,300 companies from 66 countries participating.
With this participation, Kia plans to highlight its special-purpose vehicle competitiveness spanning from compact to large models. It will display the Tasman military command vehicle in the compact segment, a two-seater cargo model of the light tactical vehicle (KLTV), and mock-ups of the next-generation medium and large standard vehicles.
The Tasman command vehicle has been deployed as the standard command vehicle for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces since last year. It combines the off-road capability characteristic of pickup trucks and various safety and convenience features with special equipment such as radios and blackout lighting control.
The light tactical vehicle can drive on conditions including a 60% longitudinal slope, a 40% lateral slope, and waterways with a depth of 760 mm. It can protect occupants from bullets and explosives, and it can operate even in extreme cold of minus 32 degrees.
The cargo model to be unveiled at this exhibition features a snorkel that raises the air intake to improve fording capability (the ability to cross rivers or puddles) and enhanced hot-region operability through an engine cooling system.
Kia's light tactical vehicle is operated not only by the Korean military but also by several countries in Europe, the Middle East, the Asia-Pacific, and Latin America, and it was recently selected as the new standard vehicle for the Polish military.
The next-generation medium standard vehicle is equipped with capabilities such as fording 1-meter-deep rivers, driving on a 60% longitudinal slope and a 40% lateral slope, and transporting up to 25 people (or 10 tons of cargo), while the large standard vehicle is equipped for rapid cargo loading, transport, and unloading.
A Kia official said, "It is significant that this year we are unveiling derivative models of the new light tactical vehicle, whose marketability has been recognized by global customers, as well as a full lineup of special-purpose vehicles ranging from compact to large."