First of 22 Vehicles Arrives in San Antonio

An initial batch of LAV III armoured vehicles arrived at San Antonio, Chile, on 20 September, destined for the Chilean Marine Corps.

Originally manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems, the vehicles form part of a batch of 22 ordered by Chile in April from the New Zealand government. Intended to replace the 27 FV-101 Scorpion armoured reconnaissance vehicles currently operated by the Corps, the balance of the vehicles are to be delivered by early 2023.

The vehicles have been in NZDF reserve stocks since 2012 and feature a Bushmaster 25mm turret with a 7.62mm MAG-58.

Santiago Rivas in Buenos Aires for MON