Western forces muscle up with LandCruisers

BRITISH Special Forces have been photographed by the BBC driving Jordanian-modified LandCruiser 70s in Syria.

AFTER years of seeing images of Islamic State fighters taking it to the opposition in fleets of Toyota-based Technicals – as the adapted vehicles are known – it seems like the Western Forces are taking notice.

It was reported earlier this year that the US DOD is looking at specifically armoured Toyota LandCruisers and Hiluxes for its own forces.

And this BBC report proves that the British Special Forces are already using modified Cruisers – called Al-Thalab Long Range Patrol Vehicles – equipped with sniper rifles, heavy machine guns and anti-tank missiles.

The LRPVs are built for harsh terrain and have the ability to go almost anywhere. The full BBC report can be found here.

In the latest edition of 4X4 Australia magazine, we took a recently developed 70-Series-based Long Range Patrol Vehicle for an exclusive drive. The massive LRPV featured in the September issue is built by Australian Patrol Vehicles (APV) in Townsville.

Based on a 79-Series LandCruiser, the reconnaissance rig has wild modifications including a gunner’s compartment with a mounted 360-degree weapons ring. The 79-Series Cruiser was chosen as the base for its well-proven and durable platform.

The extreme rig is set up to be self-sufficient for extended trips in protest warzones, and APV is shopping it out to defence contractors around the globe.

Pick up a copy of the September issue to read all about it.