An improvised fighting vehicle is a combat vehicle resulting
from modifications to a civilian or military non-combat vehicle in order to
give it a fighting capability. Such modifications usually consist of the
grafting of armour plating and weapon systems. Various militaries have procured
such vehicles, ever since the introduction of the first automobiles into
military service.
During the early days, the absence of a doctrine for the
military use of automobiles or of an industry dedicated to producing them, lead
to much improvisation in the creation of early armoured cars, and other such
vehicles. Later, despite the advent of arms industries in many countries,
several armies still resorted to using ad hoc contraptions, often in response
to unexpected military situations, or as a result of the development of new
tactics for which no available vehicle was suitable. The construction of
improvised fighting vehicles may also reflect a lack of means for the force
that uses them. This is especially true in developing countries, where various
armies and guerrilla forces have used them, as they are more affordable than
military-grade combat vehicles.
Modern examples include military gun truck used by units of
regular armies or other official government armed forces, based on a
conventional cargo truck, that is able to carry a large weight of weapons and
armour. They have mainly been used by regular armies to escort military convoys
in regions subject to ambush by guerrilla forces. "Narco tanks", used
by Mexican drug cartels in the Mexican Drug War, are built from such trucks,
which combines operational mobility, tactical offensive, and defensive
capabilities.
An improvised fighting vehicle is an ad hoc combat vehicle
resulting from modified or upgraded civilian or military non-combat vehicle,
often constructed and employed by civilians, rebels, guerrillas, resistance
movements or other forms of non-state militias. Such modifications usually
consist of grafting armour plating and weapon systems onto a vehicle.
Various militias and official militaries have improvised
such vehicles ever since the introduction of the first automobiles into
military service.
During the early days, the absence of a doctrine for the
military use of automobiles or of an industry dedicated to producing them lead
to a great deal of improvisation in the creation of early armoured cars and
similar vehicles.
Later, despite the advent of arms industries in many
countries, several armies still resorted to using ad hoc contraptions, often in
response to unexpected military situations, or as a result of the development
of new tactics for which no available vehicle was suitable.
The construction of improvised fighting vehicles may also
reflect a lack of means for the force that uses them. This is especially true
in developing countries, where various armies and guerrilla forces have used
them, as they are more affordable than military-grade combat vehicles.
