Background Information about Canada's LAV III

The LAV III units have served in many locations, including but not limited to the following:

·         United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea                  (UNMEE)
·         United Nations Mission in Kosovo                                        (UNMIK)
·         United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina         (UNMIBH)
·         United Nations Mission in Haiti                                            (UNMIH)

·         Afghanistan                                                                                (ISAF) 

The versions of the LAV that have been procured and developed by Canada are known as the “LAV III” and over time the design of this equipment has evolved into numerous versions or “variants”, three of which have been captured within the following images: 

The LAV III, originally named the Kodiak by the Canadian Army, is the third generation of the Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) family of infantry fighting vehicles built by General Dynamics Land Systems, first entering service in 1999.  The original concept of the LAV is based upon the Swiss MOWAG Piranha IIIH 8x8.

The LAV III was developed in Canada and is the primary mechanized infantry vehicle of the Canadian Army as well as the New Zealand Army.  Other countries have also begun implementing LAV III units.