The Buffalo (4 × 4) APC was developed in the 1980s as a private venture by the Panhard General Defense and was shown for the first time in mid-1985. The Buffalo (4 × 4) APC was developed by Panhard General Defense specifically for the export market.

Early in 1986, it was announced that the Buffalo would replace the older Panhard General Defense M3 (4 × 4) APC in production. The Buffalo is essentially a much improved version of the original Panhard General Defense M3 described in a separate entry but with additional external stowage, a slightly longer wheelbase and a choice of a Peugeot V-6 petrol engine developing 145 hp or a Peugeot diesel engine developing 95 hp. Both these engines are also used in other members of the now Panhard General Defense range of 4 × 4 and 6 × 6 armoured vehicles.

By mid-2007, total production of the Buffalo and the M3 APCs amounted to 1,222 vehicles, all of which were for export. There has been no recent production of the now Panhard General Defense Buffalo APC or the AML armoured car. Description

The hull of the Buffalo is of all-welded steel armour construction which provides the occupants with protection from small arms fire and shell splinters with the driver seated at the front of the hull, the engine to his immediate rear and the troop compartment at the rear of the hull.

The troop compartment has a single large door in each side of the hull and twin doors in the hull rear. Each of the latter has a single circular firing port. The spare wheel and tyre are carried on the right door.

Extensive external stowage is provided above the wheels and in the event of the vehicle running over a mine this will blow off, maintaining hull integrity.

A variety of light weapon stations can be mounted on the roof of the Buffalo to the rear of the engine, for example a cupola with an externally mounted 7.62 mm machine gun. There is an additional hatch in the roof of the vehicle at the rear and three upward-opening roof hatches along each side of the troop compartment which allow some of the troops to fire their weapons from within the vehicle.

Optional equipment includes a front-mounted winch and an air conditioning system. The basic vehicle is fully amphibious, propelled in the water by its wheels. Variants

In addition to being used as an APC, the Buffalo can be used as an internal security vehicle with a hydraulically operated obstacle-clearing blade at the front of the hull, a command vehicle with extensive communications equipment installed, an 81 mm mortar carrier, a workshop and an ambulance.