Komatsu LAV – JGSDF’s Most Familiar Armored Vehicle

Light Enough For Airlift

Like any other military, Japan’s Army (JGSDF) is equipped with a variety of armored vehicles to ensure protection towards its soldiers. Perhaps the most commonly known armored vehicle among JGSDF personnel and normal citizens alike is the Komatsu LAV, a light armored vehicle.

• General Overview 

Designed to carry four soldiers and provide protection against small firearms, the Komatsu LAV has more armor than its predecessor while being light enough for swift deployment via air transport.

Thanks to such airlift compatibility, the Komatsu LAV has become a standard equipment for overseas deployment, with armor-reinforced versions carrying out patrol missions in places like Iraq and Djibouti.

Additionally, since the LAV can be transported not only by military cargo planes, but also CH-47 large helicopters, it is expected as one the first assets to be rapidly deployed for island defense.

The LAV does not come with any fixed armament, but a 5.56 machine gun can be mounted atop the vehicle, and the top hatch can be opened to allow crew members to fire anti-tank guided weapons such as the Type 01 Japanese Javelin Missile.

In the case of using the machine gun, the gunner can be placed between the rear seats, bringing the crew capacity up to five, though the vehicle would definitely be crammed as a result.

Weak Armor and Uncomfortable?

In terms of armor, the LAV can only provide minimum protection due its nature of being a “light” armored vehicle. While it can withstand rifle rounds, whether the armor can bear up to machine gun fire is indeed skeptical.

Specific details are of course classified, but upgrades on armored plates and bulletproof glass for overseas deployment raise questions against the protection abilities of existing models.

As another concern, the low center of gravity makes it susceptible to IEDs and landmines, but the basic idea is to provide adequate protection against small firearms.

After all, it is a “light” armor vehicle, not a tank or an armored personnel carrier.

Frontal and rear view of the Komatsu LAV

With more than 2,000 units produced around a price-tag of 300,000 USD (comparatively inexpensive for a Japanese military asset), the LAV is a vehicle that most JGSDF soldiers are familiar with, though regrettably not a comfortable one.

Feedback from JGSDF personnel includes uncomfortable seating and heavy vibrations caused by the tires, making it less than favorable for long distance travel.

The interior is also surprisingly small and is quite challenging to fully accommodate four soldiers with standard equipment.

But, it is notable to mention the LAV’s achievement as the first JGSDF armored vehicle to come with air-conditioning, something that has received high praise especially from the overseas deployed units.

Foreign Vehicle as its Successor

The Komatsu LAV is currently stationed at nearly all JGSDF units nationwide, and a small number is also used by the Air-Force (JASDF)  for base security.

However, changing security threats and evolving technology has brought the need for a successor.

Unfortunately, the Komatsu Ltd. withdrew from the defense industry due to unprofitability, so the candidates have been narrowed down to just two vehicles – the Swiss made “Eagle” and the Australian “Hawkei” each backed by notable Japanese companies that would handle the import and license production.