Kia Steps Up Global Defence Drive under CEO Song Ho-sung with Tactical Vehicles

[Korea Financial Times, Kim JaeHun] Kia is stepping up its presence as a defense contractor, with President and CEO Song Ho-sung doubling down on military vehicle exports as a core pillar of the company’s future growth strategy.

Although Kia is widely recognized as a passenger and commercial vehicle manufacturer, it is in fact a specialized defense firm with over 50 years of expertise in the sector. The company was designated as a defense contractor as early as 1973—preceding Hyundai Motor Group’s main defense affiliates, Hyundai WIA (established in 1976) and Hyundai Rotem (1977).

In 1985, Kia established Korea’s first specialist research institute dedicated to special-purpose vehicles. Among automobile companies, Kia uniquely possesses both tactical vehicle operations and production systems for military use.
The signature vehicle of Kia’s defense business is the 2.5-ton military truck, which it has supplied to the military since 1977. Known affectionately—and with mixed feelings—to Korean Army veterans as the “Dudonban,” this model remains iconic. Kia has recently begun mass production of a new-generation military truck to replace the "Dudonban". This vehicle, a product of the Armed Forces’ modernization project, is called the KMTV (Kia Medium Tactical Vehicle).

In addition, Kia has maintained its presence as a defense contractor largely through military vehicles, including the launch of the so-called “Kuntorna” (a portmanteau of ‘military’ and ‘Retona’) Jeep (K-131) in 1997 and Korea’s first multi-purpose tactical vehicle, the KLTV, in 2017.

President Song Ho-sung has shown strong interest in the defense sector, notably selecting the Autoland Gwangju special vehicle production line as the site for his first field visit after taking office in 2020. His vision has been clear: to cultivate new growth engines not only in automobiles but also in specialized businesses such as defense.

Since Song Ho-sung assumed the presidency, Kia has focused on expanding its military vehicle portfolio. As a result, annual military vehicle sales surged from 1,501 units in 2020—his first year as president—to 2,108 units in 2021, and have since remained at around 2,100 units per year through last year.

Recently, Song Ho-sung has sought to boost military vehicle exports, spearheaded by the KLTV. With its appearance resembling the U.S. military’s Humvee, the KLTV has earned the nickname “Korean Humvee.”

Amid such developments as the Russia-Ukraine war, conflicts in the Middle East, and the onset of the second Trump administration, global military budgets have come into focus. Kia is thus exploring new export opportunities in this environment.

At CES 2024 last year, Song Ho-sung underscored Kia’s defense capabilities, stating, “Kia possesses 30 years of expertise in developing military vehicles,” and emphasizing, “We are a company deeply experienced in the purpose-built mobility (PBV) field.”

Multipurpose tactical vehicles such as the Kia KLTV are garnering increased international attention, as they can serve not only in artillery transport but also as temporary command posts on the battlefield. Currently, Kia exports the KLTV to countries including Poland, Chile, Nigeria, and Turkmenistan.

Kia showcased its lineup and technologies for military vehicles—including the KLTV—at last year’s International Defence Industry Exhibition in Poland. This move was aimed at reinforcing its push into Eastern Europe and NATO—regions increasingly interested in Korean-made weaponry.
Continuing its expansion drive, Kia exhibited medium-standard vehicles, light tactical vehicles, cargo trucks, and the Tasman at IDEX, the international defense exhibition held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, this February. As conflict intensifies in the Middle East, Kia is aiming to further grow its presence in that market.

According to industry sources, Kia is also considering participation in the UK government’s military vehicle replacement program, with the KLTV as its front-runner. The tender for this project will take place on December 1, with a final contractor to be selected next year. The contract period runs from May 1, 2027, to April 30, 2033—a six-year deal worth approximately KRW 1.4 trillion. If secured, it would mark the largest-ever defense export order for Kia.

Kia plans to set up its own booth at the International Defence and Security Exhibition (DESI 2025) held in the UK this September, continuing its on-site promotion of the KLTV.

Kim JaeHun (rlqm93@fntimes.com)