The MAV 5 light armoured vehicle was developed as a joint venture by Carrozzeria Boneschi Srl and IVECO SpA, Defence Vehicles. The MAV 5 was originally designed to carry six fully equipped persons (commander, driver and four crew) and their equipment both on roads and across country.

The Italian Army took delivery of over 200 units, which were used for peacekeeping duties in Albania, Bosnia and Somalia. Some of these have been fitted with a ring on the roof on which a 7.62 mm MG 42/59 machine gun has been mounted for local protection. Twelve vehicles have been supplied to the Italian Carabinieri. Within the Italian Army these vehicles are known as the VM/90P.

Recently, the IVECO SpA, Defence Vehicles has teamed with the German company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann to develop a similar vehicle called Terrier. Details of this vehicle are given in a separate entry under International.

The first customer for the Terrier is the United Arab Emirates, which has taken delivery of 10 vehicles, while Egypt and Poland have each taken delivery of one vehicle.

Production of the Terrier Light Armoured Unit is now complete and it is no longer being marketed by either company. Description

The MAV 5 light armoured vehicle is essentially an IVECO 40.10 (with 100 hp engine) 4 × 4 truck chassis, fitted with a new steel armoured body 6 mm thick providing the occupants with complete protection from small arms fire. The floor and roof are also of ballistic steel armour with a thickness of 2 to 3 mm.

All windows and vision blocks of the MAV 5 are of bulletproof glass with a total thickness of 38 mm which provides the same level of protection as the armoured hull.

The driver is seated at the front of the vehicle on the left side with the vehicle commander to his right, both being provided with a bulletproof window to the front and sides. The vehicle commander also has a circular firing port below the front window on the right side.

The four troops are seated on individual turntable seats facing the centre or the side of the vehicle and they can enter the vehicle via three doors, one in each side and one at the rear. The rear door opens to the right and has an integral vision block with a circular firing port underneath. The replacement wheel is normally carried on the left side of the hull rear and above this is a firing port and vision block. All doors are provided with locks and anti-intruder devices.

In the left and right sides of the troop compartment are two vision blocks each with a firing port underneath. There are two circular roof hatches, one towards the front on the left and one towards the rear on the right.

The engine is located at the front of the vehicle and is protected by ballistic steel.

An extension pipe for the diesel engine is on the forward right side of the hull and extends just above the roof line.

Standard equipment includes provision for carrying six rifles, ceiling lights for internal lighting and special protection for electrical cables. A spare wheel and tyre is carried at the rear of the vehicle on the left side.

Optional equipment included an air-conditioning system, an anti-tear gas filtering system and a firefighting system that protects the engine.

The MAV 5 can also be provided with different tyres, including run-flat type, an exhaust brake and an air/electrical connection for a trailer. Variants

The company did develop a new version with increased mine protection called the MAV 5 (MP).