Komatsu LAV (KU50W) Producer: Komatsu
Main User: Japan Self-Defense Force
Expense: $270,000*
First produced in 2002, the Komatsu LAV (Light Armored Vehicle) is specifically designed for use by the Japan Self-Defense Force. This vehicle is comparable to the Panhard VBL used by the French Army but features distinct differences, including four doors and a larger cabin optimized for transporting soldiers.
Komatsu LAV (KU50W) © Wikimedia.org/Hunini
The Komatsu LAV made its public debut in Kuwait when the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) deployed it to Samawah, Iraq, for humanitarian missions. Unlike the Mitsubishi Light Trucks and Toyota High Mobility Vehicles, the KLAV offers enhanced protection against small arms fire, making it a more secure option for personnel transport in potentially hostile environments.
