Canadians use them and made in London Ontario
General Motors (GM) Defense is one of the world's leading light armoured vehicle manufacturers, serving some of the most demanding military customers in the world. With $4 billion in export contracts in 2001 and a landmark deal with the U.S. Army firmly in its grasp, GM Defense has emerged as an exporting powerhouse.
The company's unique family of light armoured vehicles (LAVs) are in high demand, and GM Defense has contracts to supply many military customers including Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia and the United States. The current model, the LAV-3, is the premier wheeled light armoured vehicle in the world today. It features increased armour protection, increased payload, outstanding mobility, high reliability and low cost of ownership. An earlier version of the LAV, known as the "Coyote" and supplied to the Canadian Forces in the mid-1990s, is considered the world's most capable armoured reconnaissance vehicle. These vehicles were so highly regarded that the U.S. military specifically requested their inclusion in Canadian Forces support to U.S. military activities in Afghanistan.
In early 2001, the company and joint venture partner General Dynamics Land Systems won a contract to manufacture over 2,100 LAV-3s. Named the "Stryker," this vehicle will form the basis of a major U.S. Army transformation initiative. Valued at $6 billion over its lifespan, the contract for these made-in-Canada armoured vehicles is the largest of its kind in company history.
"When this contract is completed, GM Defense will have 8,000 vehicles in 16 countries," says company Executive Director William Pettipas, whose military background instilled a clear understanding of what it means to wear a uniform. "Canadian and allied soldiers entrust their lives to the dependability and quality of our vehicles. Any product that comes off our production line reflects our dedication to putting their safety first."
GM Defense LAVs have seen extensive service in the cause of international and human security. The Australian, Canadian and U.S. forces have been deployed with GM Defense LAVs for peace and security operations in many of the world's trouble spots. For over 20 years, these vehicles have protected soldiers as they go about the dangerous job of preserving the peace and, in the process, protecting and saving the lives of countless innocent civilians.
Based in London, Ontario, GM Defense has over 1,500 employees and is supported by a Canadian supplier network of over 200 Canadian companies from coast to coast. Parts from these Canadian suppliers have been included in GM Defense's export orders to Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia and the United States. For the U.S. Army contract alone, purchases of close to $800 million will be placed with these suppliers.
http://www.armyimages.forces.gc.ca/...eng_results_ie_1&sorton=Cataloged&ascending=0
http://images.google.ca/images?svnum=10&hl=en&lr=&q=lav+3
Cheers