Quote:
Originally Posted by Tegyrius
Without taking a look at the numbers... the LAV-75 was originally intended for RDF deployment to the Middle East.
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This is correct. It was created to satisfy requirements from the RDF initiated under the Carter administration, in response to the Iranian revolution. The RDF was primarily intended, of course, to operate in the Middle East.
The LAV-75 was never really intended to fight MBTs, it was more of an assault gun kind of thing. But could be used against other armored vehicles if needed. Now this is where my memory is a little sketchy, but I believe most folks referred to it as a “light tank,” which brings a connotation that is was intended to fight other tanks. This was why the Army made great efforts to say the M8 was
not a light tank during its development. They did not want future M8 crews, or unit commanders, thinking they could go after MBTs.