Libya brigade gets new armoured vehicles

The 106th Brigade of the Libyan National Army (LNA) faction has received what appear to be Terrier LT-79 armoured vehicles made by The Armored Group (TAG).

106th Brigade soldiers relax next to what appears to be a TAG Terrier LT-79. (106th Brigade, Libyan National Army)

At least eight of the vehicles were seen in a video the group released on 9 December showing a parade of its Special Operations Force. All the vehicles had protected weapon stations for 7.62 mm PKM-type machine guns.

Like the ones seen in photographs of the Terrier on the TAG website, the vehicles had no markings identifying their manufacturer or model type.

The company, which also armours civilian cars and makes cash-in-transit vehicles, says it has manufacturing facilities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Jordan, as well as the United States and Germany.

It states that the Terrier is based on a Toyota Land Cruiser 79 chassis and can carry up to 10 people. It provides protection equivalent to the NATO STANAG 4569 Level 1 in their basic configuration: sufficient to protect those inside from 7.62×51 mm ball ammunition fired at a range of 30 m, as well as hand grenades and anti-personnel explosives.

TAG says this can be increased to STANAG 4569 Level 2 with the addition of composites, providing protection from 7.62×39 mm armour-piercing rounds.

The company did not respond to questions about the possible delivery of its vehicles to the LNA: a move that would be a violation of the UN arms embargo on Libya.

Two days after the 106 ^th