Based on its considerable experience in the design, development and production of full-tracked Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs), Singapore Technologies Kinetics (STK) is now moving into the wheeled AFV market.

The first wheeled AFV to be developed by STK was the AV81 Terrex (8 × 8) Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), of which three examples have now been built. Full details of the AV81 Terrex are provided in a separate entry. As of late 2007 this remained at the prototype stage but may enter production in the near future for the Singapore Armed Forces.

In mid-2005, STK started development work on the new Light Armoured Multi-Role Vehicle (LAMRV), which was unveiled in February 2006.

According to the company, LAMRV offers a new concept of using commercial components coupled with selective customisation to meet the demands of the future battlefield, without over-design, to maintain an affordable cost.

The LAMRV's versatile design enables the vehicle to be rapidly configured to enable it to undertake a wide range of military and paramilitary roles.

It is based on a proven industrial twin cabin pick-up with a generous capacity to carry crew or cargo, and an allowance to configure for mission modules that include armoured reconnaissance, border patrol and troop transport.

As of late 2007 there were no known orders for the LAMRV for the home or export markets.

The LAMRV is based on a standard IVECO 40.12WM (4 × 4) chassis, which has been produced in large numbers for civilian and military applications. STK claims that the selection of this chassis provides potential customers with a very low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

The power pack is at the front of the vehicle and consists of an IVECO 4-cylinder in-line diesel coupled to a five-speed automatic transmission.

The independent front suspension consists of longitudinal torsion bars, hydraulic shock absorbers and auxiliary elastic pads. Rear suspension consists of double flexibility half-elliptic springs, hydraulic shock absorbers and rubber bump pads.

Rather than armouring the complete vehicle, STK has gone for the citadel approach in which the front engine compartment and rear load area are not armoured.

The crew compartment citadel is installed on the centre of the chassis, well away from the road wheels for maximum protection against mines. This citadel is of all-welded steel armour construction that provides the occupants with protection from small arms fire up to 7.62 × 54 mm Armour-Piercing (AP) attack and meets STANAG Level 3 standards. Higher levels of protection could be provided but this would entail a reduction in payload.

The commander and driver are seated at the front with an additional three crew members to their immediate rear. Each crew member has an individual seat, complete with seatbelts.

The crew of the LAMRV can rapidly enter and leave the vehicle via two doors in either side. Front and side windows are of bulletproof class, which meet BR6-NS standards. Both left-hand and right-hand drive models of the LAMRV are being marketed.

The roof of the LAMRV is detachable, which allows it to be configured for a wide range of roles. The baseline vehicle has a single-piece hatch cover and a pintle-mounted machine gun. Two wheelbase models would be offered.

The example shown for the first time in February 2006 was fitted with a locally developed Overhead Weapon Station (OWS) armed with a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher, which can be laid by the commander from within the crew compartment under complete armour protection. Other armament installations are possible.

Standard equipment includes powered steering and an air-conditioning system for the crew compartment. Integrated into the rear of the vehicle is a TV camera with a flat-panel display provided at the driver's station.

Optional equipment includes an NBC system, navigation system, various types of communications equipment and run-flat tyres. The run-flat tyres allow the vehicle to continue moving with penetrated tyres for 15 km at a speed of 50 km/h.

The LAMRV can be transported inside a C-130 or C-160 transport aircraft or be carried slung under a CH-47 helicopter.

The first LAMRV prototype has an open cargo area at the rear, complete with drop tailgate that is separated from the armour-protected crew compartment. This is not linked to the citadel but is linked to the chassis.

As previously stated, the design of the LAMRV is modular and other chassis could well be used in place of the current IVECO (4 × 4) design. STK has already prepared additional designs of the LAMRV, in which the fully armoured crew compartment is extended to the rear.

This version would be suitable for a wider range of roles such as internal security vehicle, command post vehicle or APC, in which up to nine people could be carried.