3. INTRODUCTION
• Komatsu LAV (light armoured vehicle) is in service with the
Japan Ground Self Defence Forces (JGSDF). Introduced in
2002, the vehicle was deployed in the Iraq War. The LAV is
produced by the Komatsu Defence Systems Division in
Komatsu, Japan. The vehicle bears a passing resemblance to
the Panhard VBL, which is in service with the French Army.
5. DEVELOPMENT
• The Komatsu LAV was developed by the Office of
Research and Defence in 1997 to meet the requirement
of the JGSDF for a light armoured wheeled vehicle that
could provide better armoured mobility.
• The vehicle replaced the HMV Hayate and Type 73 small
utility vehicles as they were not capable of providing
protection against small arms fire.
7. 03/26/15
DESIGN
• The LAV design incorporates a welded steel
armour construction on a chassis fixed to 4x4
wheel configuration.
• It has an overall length of 4.4m, width of 2.04m
and overall height of 1.85m.
• The empty weight is 4,500kg.
• The vehicle can accommodate four crew
members.
9. ARMAMENT
• The LAV is armed with a Sumitomo M249 LMG (light machine gun)
or a Sumitomo M2HB 12.7mm machine gun for anti-personnel
missions.
• It can also be mounted with the Type 01 LMAT man-portable fire-
and-forget anti-tank missile or a Kawasaki Type 87 anti-tank missile
for anti-armoured roles.
• The weapon systems fitted on the vehicle are surrounded with an
armoured turret to protect the gunner.
11. MOBILITY
• The LAV can travel more than 200 miles without
refuelling.
• It is fitted with all run-flat tyres.
• The low turning radius allows the vehicle to negotiate
narrow passages.
• The vehicle can be carried inside some military
helicopters and under slung CH-47J or C-130H transport
aircraft for emergency air-drops.
