Main: 25mm Cannon (M242 Bushmaster); Co-Axial: (1) 7.62mm Machine Gun (C6); Pintle/Swing-Arm Mounted: (1) 5.56mm (C9) or 7.62mm (C6) MG.

The Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) III is based upon the Swiss MOWAG Piranha IIIH Series and is much larger than earlier MOWAG designs including the Canadian Bison APC, Coyote Recon Vehicle and USMC LAV 25. Some references refer to the LAV III as the "Kodiak" but that nomenclature is incorrect. Besides the main Infantry Section Carrier (ISC), other Canadian LAV III variants are the Command Post Vehicle (CPV), Engineer (ELAV), Observation Post Vehicle (OPV), Remote Weapon System (RWS) ISC and Tow Under Armor (TUA) Anti-Tank Vehicle. 

A major improvement program was undertaken in 2009 to mitigate the threat of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED's) encountered in Afghanistan.  The LAV Operational Requirement Integration Task (LORIT) program fitted some LAV III's (141) with new underbody and side armor, protected external weapons stations, blast mitigating seating, aluminum wheel rims and full-length side storage bins. In 2017, chassis upgrades were also made to the LORIT LAV's. The final incarnation of this series is the LAV III Upgrade (LAV III UP) vehicle, which became available around the same time the new LAV 6.0 series became operational (2013). LAV III UP improvements include the fitting of a Double-V Hull, improved armor, more powerful engine (Caterpillar C9), uprated drive-train, suspension and brakes.  In addition, new weapon sighting optics were added to improve the vehicles' lethality

Although, technically not a variant, the NZLAV Infantry Mobility Vehicle is almost identical to the LAV III except for sundry differences based upon New Zealand's unique needs. In addition, Colombia also operates approximately 30 LAV III's although they are not armed with a turret, but instead mount a Samson Remote Control Weapon Station. Saudi Arabia also has purchased the LAV III as well.  Finally, the US Army's Stryker IFV Series is also based upon the LAV III design, although differing due to American requirements.

Major (Retired) Don Allen - Orleans, Ontario Canada

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Book Review by Don Allen