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Long-time truck-maker Iveco of Italy (founded 1975 in turin) lends its design and manufacturing talents to the production of the multi-faceted "Light Multirole Vehicle" - or "LMV". The product was designed during the latter hald of the 1990s and entered production in 2001 and remains ongoing today (2017). The vehicle has been adopted by a plethora of operators outside of the Italian armed forces (where it is known as the VTLM "Lince") including Albania, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Lebanon, Norway, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Syria, Tunisia and the United Kingdom. Its global reach showcases the type's inherent versatility and robustness across today's battlefields.

The LMV was originally known to Iveco under the model number of M65E19 WM-4x4. Initial pilot vehicles were readied in 2001 for testing.

At its core, the LMV is a 6.5 ton system with an overall length of 4.7 meters, a width of 2 meters and a height of 1.95 meters. It features a crew of one+four and a "stretched" model adds two more passengers. Armor protection for the occupants is up to STANAG 4569 though the armor arrangement is highly modular and suited to the mission role as needed. Power is from an in-house Iveco F1D Common Rail EURO 3 diesel unit of 182 horsepower fitted to the front section of the chassis and coupled to a 6-speed automatic transmission system. This provides road speeds nearing 130 kmh and an operational range out to 500 kilometers. The vehicle sports four large roadwheels (with run-flat capability) suitable for road and cross-country travel and the chassis features an independent, double A-arm suspension package. A high ground clearance allows the vehicle to manage low-lying water sources and other battlefield obstacles.

The LMV makes heavy use of off-the-shelf parts and components to reduce procurement costs and make the product logistically-friendly to any one nation requiring the services of a 4x4 wheeled performer like the LMV. Two distinct wheelbases are offered - 3.2 meters and 3.5 meters. Standard equipment includes a heated front windscreen, air conditioning for the passenger section and power-assisted steering (to go along with the automatic transmission fit).©MilitaryFactory.com

Beginning in 2015, the LMV line has seen introduction of a 220 horsepower diesel engine unit with an 8-speed transmission system. This, coupled with other slight improvements, has broadened the tactical capability (and inherent value) of the LMV product for various operators.

The vehicle can be defensed by the optional Remote Weapon Station (RWS) set over the top of the hull roof (at center). Otherwise this section of the vehicle exhibits an access hatch and can feature a pintle-mounted, manually-operated machine gun or automatic grenade launcher. Any personal weapons carried by the crew and passengers also come into play as needed. A ram bar can be added to the bow of the truck as can a powered winch system. The hull underside is of a V-shaped design and the floor is reinforced with armor to help mitigate the effects of a detonation under the vehicle - this proven by Italian actions time-and-again in Afghanistan against enemy Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

The British Army adopted the LMV to become its "Panther" Command and Liaison Vehicle to fulfill the requirements of the Future Command and Liaison Vehicle (FCLV) program. The vehicle seats 1+3 and is assembled at British-based factories. The vehicle sports a BAe day-night sighting system and Bowman communications equipment as well as the AEI RWS. Hundreds have been manufactured since introduction and some of the stock has seen combat service in the Afghanistan Theater of War. Beyond the 400 or so already delivered from 2006 to 2009, the British Army holds an option for another 400 units if desired.

The Russian Army version is known as "Rys" and is assembled in Russian production plants.

To date (December 2017) some 4,000 total LMVs have been produced. The versatility of the design is such that the vehicle is also marketed in TOW Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM), battlefield ambulance, cargo carrier and special missions support configurations.©MilitaryFactory.com

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