Armed Forces
Legwan Vehicles Arrive in Morąg
Photo. 20th Bartoszycka Mechanized Brigade
Four Light Reconnaissance Vehicles (LPR) Legwan, which are Polonized KIA KLTVs, have joined the 20th Bartoszycka Mechanized Brigade named after Hetman Polny Litewski Wincenty Gosiewski.
The unit announced the arrival of the new equipment through its social media channels.
This is a significant step for the 20th Mechanized Brigade and the entire Polish Armed Forces. The introduction of modern vehicles for reconnaissance platoons will certainly enhance the unit's operational capabilities. Such equipment enables more effective recce operations and increases the safety of soldiers. The 20th Mechanized Brigade is regularly modernized and equipped with modern technology.
20th Mechanized Brigade / Facebook
This year, 17 KIA KLTV vehicles produced in the Republic of Korea arrived in Poland. In the first shipment in April, there were 3 vehicles, and in August, 14 more arrived. The implementation of the 2023 contract is overseen by Rosomak S.A. in Siemianowice Śląskie, which also carries out the localization process of the Korean design. Before delivery to the 20th Brigade, the Legwans underwent acceptance testing at the Wisła Research and Testing Center of the Military Institute of Armored and Automotive Technology (WITPiS).
As a reminder, the Legwan family vehicles in the reconnaissance variant are being delivered to the Polish Armed Forces under a 2023 agreement worth 1.2 billion PLN. The contract involves the delivery of nearly 400 KLTVs, which, after being accepted by Rosomak S.A. and adapted to the customer’s requirements, will be handed over to the military under the name LPR Legwan. The vehicles delivered to Poland are the light reconnaissance version, allowing for the replacement of some vehicles from the Honker family (including Skorpion-3). This version of the vehicle was presented for the first time in full equipment at MSPO 2024, armed with a large-caliber WKM-B machine gun, caliber 12.7 mm, mounted on an armored open top shooting station. All ordered vehicles are expected to be delivered between 2024 and 2030.
Photo. Rosomak S.A.
The Legwan provides ballistic protection for the crew in accordance with level I of the STANAG 4569 standard (with the possibility of increasing the protection level). The roof has a hatch with a turret, where various types of weapons can be installed, such as universal 7.62 mm machine guns, large-caliber 12.7 mm machine guns, or 40 mm automatic grenade launchers. The purchase of KLTVs is also linked to a technology transfer that will gradually move the production of individual components to Poland. The scale of this transfer will depend on the size of the orders, which may ultimately reach several thousand vehicles.
The Legwan platform is powered by a 3-liter Hyundai D6EB V6 diesel engine, producing about 225 horsepower. It is coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle features independent suspension and all-wheel drive, and its tires are equipped with a Run Flat system, allowing it to continue driving even if punctured, such as by rounds from automatic weapons. The vehicle’s maximum speed can reach 130 km/h, with a range of 640 km.
Written with: Mateusz Multarzyński, Adam Świerkowski