FMC Armored IFV The Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle (AIFV) grew out of a project to provide the Ml 13 APC (see following entry) with an enclosed weapon station. Private venture development by FMC (now United Defense) resulted, in 1970, in the AIFV which was first procured by the Netherlands. Their original order was for over 2,000 AIFVs, about half of which were manufactured in the Netherlands. Other customers have included Belgium and Turkey both of whom undertook local licence production agreements. Production in Belgium has now ceased but it continues in Turkey where the local requirement is for some 1,700 AIFVs. The AIFV is basically an Ml 13 APC with a revised hull outline and a turret off-set to the right, just behind the engine compartment, and mounting a 25 mm cannon with a coaxial 7.62 mm MG, Many AIFVs are armed with a TOW ATGW turret, especiaUy those produced in the Netherlands, where another model is armed only with
an 12.7 mm MG over a small cupola. The addition of the turret limits the internal troop accommodation to a maximum of seven who enter via a power-operated ramp at the rear. Customers, other than those already mentioned, have included the Philippines (where the turret armament is limited to a 12.7 mm MG) and Egypt, the latter purchasing surplus vehicles from the Netherlands. At one time Pakistan was to produce the AIFV locally but that arrangement is in abeyance. With so many AIFVs being produced at several centres,
USA variants have proliferated to the extent that, for example, Belgian and Netherlands command AIFVs differ, Thus there are several types of AIFV recovery vehicle, armoured ambulance, and so on. There are also AIFV supply vehicles, and mortar carriers or tractors. Some Turkish AIFVs are fitted with 300 hp diesel engine packs, A close copy of the AIFV has been produced in Taiwan. The Korean Infantry Fighting Vehicle (qv) is visually similar to the AIFV.
