[kato13]

Originally Posted by Tnchi2a

That is possible the Reference materials I have found seem to contradict each other when it comes to this.

Jane's=said they are the same
Wikipedia=said they are the same
globalsecurity.org/milita = claims there different
General Dynamics Land Systems website = is confusing on the subject
Canadian Army website = waffle on the subject claiming in some place its an upgrade and anothers its a new vehicle build from the ground up ?

It could simply be what their definition of "upgrade" is.

Wikipedia does seem to show is as a LAVIII extension

The Stryker is based on the LAV III light-armored vehicle, which in turn was based on the Swiss MOWAG Piranha III 8x8.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stryker

And this being the Mowag family tree
Family tree

• Piranha I
  • AVGP
  • LAV-25
    • ASLAV
• Piranha II
  • Bison
  • Coyote
  • Desert Piranha
  • LAV II
• Piranha III
  • Piranha IIIC
  • Piranha IIIH
    • LAV III
      • Stryker
      • NZLAV
• Piranha IV
• Piranha V

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mowag_Piranha#Family_tree