The Iveco LMV (Light Multirole Vehicle) is a 4WD tactical vehicle developed by Iveco, and in service with several countries. After its adoption by the Italian Army as the Veicolo-Tattico-Leggero-Multiruolo (VTLM) Lince ("Light tactical multirole vehicle Lynx"),[3] it won the Future Command and Liaison Vehicle (FCLV) competition of the British Army as the Panther, but the fleet was put up for sale in 2018.
The LMV uses modular armour packs to adjust its level of protection to its mission requirements.[2] In regards to mine protection, the vehicle's ground clearance has been increased to 493 mm (19.4 in) without increasing the overall height (which is less than 2 metres or 6.6 feet); it also uses suspended seats of aeronautical derivation, v-hull under body, and a collapsible sandwich structure in the floor to deflect and absorb mine blasts. Its exhaust is piped through its C-pillars, and its turbocharger is located underneath the engine to reduce its thermal signature. Mobility is helped by a run-flat system, allowing the vehicle to move even with completely deflated tires. It is related to the Fiat Oltre concept car unveiled in 2005.[4]
The LMV was designed in the 1990s and the first LMVs were produced in 2001[5] while the UK's Panthers were produced between 2006 and 2009.[6]
The Panther Command and Liaison VehicleorPanther CLV was the British Army variant of the Iveco LMV. The Panther CLV came from the "Future Command and Liaison Vehicle" (FCLV) project. Design modifications were made by BAE Systems to allow assembly at BAE Systems Land Systems' factory in Newcastle upon Tyne. Over 300 Panthers were assembled at BAE Systems factory in Newcastle upon Tyne under a £160 million contract. It was intended that the Panther would replace vehicles including Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (tracked) (CVRT) family, FV 432, Saxon and Land Rover Truck Utility Medium (TUM).[7]
The Panther seated four people. They were equipped with Enforcer RCWS weapons stations which were developed by SELEX Galileo. This weapons station could be armed with a 7.62 mm general purpose machine gun, a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun or a 40mm automatic grenade launcher. Panther was reduced to a three-seat vehicle when a large amount of communication equipment was placed in the right rear seat. This reduced its utility as, because it was classed as an armoured vehicle, the commander and driver were always required to stay in the vehicle.
The Rys is the Russian variant of the Iveco LMV, manufactured by MVPS, an Iveco Russia and Oboronservis LLC joint venture company,[9] with complete knockdown assembly[10] on the premises of the 127th Wheeled Vehicle Repair Plant in Voronezh. The Rys' supply chain is from different plants around Russia.
The LMV is available in two different wheelbases, 3.2 m (126.0 in) and 3.5 m (137.8 in).[2] A two-door, two seater is also available.[2]
Since 2015, LMV production has featured a host of improvements: these include a more powerful 220 horsepower (164 kW; 223 PS) diesel engine coupled to a new eight-speed automatic transmission, an upgraded drive line for higher performance and a new air filtration system. The payload of the LMV has been increased by some 40 per cent and it is now fitted with new specially designed suspension units and recently developed all-terrain tyres for a higher level of cross-country mobility. A key feature of the latest LMV batch of improvements is that they can be backfitted to the entire legacy LMV fleet to enhance their capabilities. The internal layout of the LMV has also been redesigned for greater crew comfort, with new seats, a next-generation dashboard and an upgraded hardtop. The internal cab height has been increased by 100 mm (3.9 in) to create more internal volume and an electronic architecture has been fitted for easier upgrading in the future.
As of September 2015, Iveco Defence Vehicles had achieved sales of more than 4,000 LMVs Lince 4X4. Iveco LMV was authorized by the Italian government to sell to Ukraine for 41 million euros on 14 September 2014, but never confirmed delivery.[citation needed]
440 Iveco LMV purchased with 120 add-on armour kits, and had an option for 180 additional LMV that was never activated.[11][23] The vehicle will be replaced by the JLTV. [24]
80 donated to Ukraine (announcement in January 2023).[25]
Brazilian Army operates 48 LMV Lince and LMV-BR as of 2024.[27][28] More 420 LMV-BR2 variant ordered in July 2024, with national production and deliveries planned to start in 2026. 105 LMV-BR2s will be armed with the REMAX IVremote weapon system.[29][30]