General Dynamics Unveils First Two Peruvian Cayman Armored Vehicles

General Dynamics Land Systems Canada unveiled Thursday the two first LAV-II "Cayman" 8x8 armored vehicles of the 32 ordered in mid-2014 by the Peruvian Armed Forces.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony in London, Ontario, Commandant of the Peruvian Navy, Admiral Edmundo Deville del Campo said, “the Cayman will be used to patrol the coast, as well as lakes and rivers, as the Peruvian Marines prepare for expansion next year.”

The vehicles have been designed especially to Peruvian specifications: they are low-maintenance and lightweight so they can move and manoeuvre quickly in Peru’s varied and difficult terrain.

They are also amphibious, so able to carry personnel from ship to shore, and come equipped with a 50-calibre gun.

The contract will see 32 vehicles delivered plus logistical support package. GLDS was awarded the US$ 55 million contract only last year by the Peruvian Ministry of Defense via the Government of Canada.

The Marines have named their new LAV-II the Cayman in honor of Special Forces who fought the Shining Path in the 1980s.

In recent years, the Marines have received training from their counterparts in the United States—veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. They are still put in action against the Shining Path, who, although not the danger they once were, now partner with drug cartels.

Two Caymans will join a national parade in Lima in July.

The LAV II - with full amphibious capability - has a length of 6.5 m, width 2.62 m and height of 2.69. The combat weight is 13.2 tons. It is designed to carry 10 troops (3 crew and 7 children). Propulsion is ensured by a 300 HP 6V53T diesel engine, and its top speed of 100 km / h (10 km / h in amphibious operations). The range is 640 km. The APC version is fitted with a Browning machine gun M-2HB 12.7 mm, while the Infantry Fighting Vehicle variant is fitted with one M242 25mm cannon and a M-240C 7.62 mm machine gun.