K311 cargo truck


The K311 is a 4x4 multipurpose 1 1/4–ton class cargo truck developed for the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, and was introduced in 1980. It is commonly known as 4-5 ton or military Dodge, because it replaced and had similar appearance with Dodge M37. It is a modernized version of the American Kaiser Jeep M715 truck, which was also designed with an intention to replace the M37 truck.
The truck was produced by Asia Motors until Hyundai merged the company with Kia Motors in 1999. The KM450 is an export name designated by Kia Motors, and the name is used widely outside of South Korea for both old and new variants.

General Characteristics

K311A1

In June 2000, Kia Motors signed a deal with Turkish company, and began product improvement program on K131, K311, and K511 series. The export plan was cancelled due to 2001 Turkish economic crisis; nonetheless, Kia Motors, which has already spent a lot of money, decided that it could not stop the project, and invested a total of 10.43 billion KRW to finish the program by April 2003.
To distinguish K311 and K311A1, check the number of front windshields, the number of wipers, tire thickness, engine, and bullbar design.

K311A2

The K311A2 is a second upgrade variant of the K311 first revealed at DX Korea 2018. It has a hardtop roof on driving section, air conditioner, and navigation system as a default. The vehicle is unlikely to be adopted by South Korea as K311s are being replaced with K151 series.

Variants

  • K311 Cargo Truck: Introduced in 1980.
  • * K311A1 Cargo Truck: Upgraded variant. Introduced in 2003.
  • * K311A1 Chassis
  • * K311A1 Shelter Cargo
  • K312 Ambulance: Introduced in 1982. All were converted to K311 cargo truck after replacing with K312A1 by 2014, 5 years ahead the schedule.
  • * K312A1 Ambulance: Upgraded variant. Introduced in 2005. It has an air conditioning system, 22 additional kits, and other life support items.
  • K313 Shop Van: Introduced in 1985.
  • * K313A1 Shop Van: Upgraded variant. Introduced in 2007.
  • K314 Communication Equipment Installation Vehicle
  • K315 Cipher Vehicle
  • K316 NBC Reconnaissance: Introduced in 1996.
  • K317 Biological Reconnaissance: Introduced in 2002. Developed to prepare for possible biological terrorism during the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
  • K319 Bulletproof Truck: Introduced in 2004. Developed for use by the Zaytun Division during the Iraq War.
Other variations with unknown/no given model number
  • 1¼ ton Cargo Truck - RHD
  • Artillery Commanding Vehicle
  • Cargo Truck - Generator
  • Communication Shelter Mounted Vehicle
  • Electronic Weather Monitor Mounted Vehicle
  • Field Catering Truck
  • Military Caravan
  • Smoke Generator Mounted Vehicle
List of guns or other systems mounted on the truck
Foreign variants

Operators

  • Operated since 2018.
  • Received KM450 in 2018.
  • Received KM450 in 2018.
  • South Korea donated 50 K311s in 2012. Another batch of unspecified number of K311s was donated in 2017.
  • Used by Chilean Marine Corps.
  • Uses K311s.
  • Local assembly by Korean-Malian joint company Wad Youngsan Industries S.A. in Banankoro since 2016.
  • South Korea donated 13 K311s in 2012 along with other equipment to support Mongolian UN PKO missions in Afghanistan and Sudan.
  • Operated since at least 2019. Acquired 100 vehicles in July 2022. Acquired 100 vehicles in January 2023. Purchased 100 vehicles for Nigerien special forces in March 2023.
  • 651 KM450s in 2007. 157 K311s in 2010. 60 KM451s in 2012. 717 KM450s in 2015. 60 KM451s in 2016. 215 KM450s and 4 KM452s in 2019. 60 KM451s in 2020. 20 KM450s in 2021. 30 KM452s in 2023.
  • Received in 2024. In November of the same year, Senegal invested 35 billion CFA to establish a defense industry by partnering with South Korea. In December 2025, Senegal inaugurated its first military vehicle assembly factory ISEVEM in Diamniadio with a assembly capacity of 1,000 CKD kits per year.
  • Operates more than 10,000 vehicles as of 2016.
  • Local production by the Military Industry Corporation of Sudan.
  • The KM450 chassis was used for manufacturing Bogdan Bars-6 armored vehicle since 2015. In 2021, the chassis was selected to replace R-125 KshM, which is a command vehicle variant based on the UAZ-3151. It was produced by Bogdan Motors to supply to Telekart-Prylad for installing K-1450-06 KshM on the truck. However, Bogdan Motors filed bankruptcy in same year. 20 chassis were purchased at the auction by the charity created by Serhiy Prytula, and were donated for military use.

    Non-state operators

  • Captured from Mali.
Islamic State in the Greater Sahara
  • Captured from Mali.
Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin
  • Captured from Mali.
Wagner Group
  • Provided by Mali.
Houthi