LAV III

The LAV III is the last derivative of the combat proven USMC LAV armored vehicle to be in active service well into the 21st century. It has been designed to provide enhanced survivability thanks to an increased armor and mobility as well as the capability to accommodate new weapon systems. It will carry infantry troops to the front-line of the battlefield providing fire support through its 25mm stabilized gun. The LAV III entered service with the Canadian Army in 1999. 756 LAV IIIs armored vehicles have been ordered by Canada and New Zealand. The US Army Stryker armored vehicle was developed on the basis of the proven LAV III. The Canadian Army is the largest operator of LAV III vehicles with 651 delivered to date. It has been deployed within the Canadian Army as Infantry Carriers (313), Command Post (181), TOW missile carrier (71), Forward Observation (47), and Engineer Variants (39). The Infantry carrier version is able to accommodate up to 7 infantryman and a crew of 3 (gunner, driver and commander). In addition to the 25mm cannon, the LAV III turret also features a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun., a top-mounted 5.56 or 7.62mm machine gun, and one 76mm grenade launcher. On August 23, 2004, the Canadian Department of National Defence awarded a $17.36 million contract to General Dynamics Land Systems Canada to manufacture 33 LAV III TOW Under Armor vehicles equipped with refurbished and upgraded Kvaerner Eureka Armored Launching Turrets. LAV IIIs equipped with TOW anti-armor missile were scheduled for delivery to Canada between September 2005 and May 2006. The Canadian Department of National Defence (CDND) awarded a CAD11 million contract to General Dynamics Land Systems (Canada) for 39 LAV III Engineer vehicles to be delivered between October 2006 and July 2007. The contract was awarded on March 16, 2005.

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