AB Landsverk

Through a German company, the Gutehoffnungshütte Aktienverein für Bergbau und Hüttenbereich Oberhausen (GHH), invested heavily and gained control of 50 % of the shares.

In 1930, the Swedish Army placed an order of armoured car for trials, and a few years later three light tanks on wheels and tracks.

At the conclusion of that conflict, Landsverk was subject to an effort to dismantle German foreign business interests.

The same was the case with many other vehicles in the Irish Army, budget constraints meant that the L180s were still in front-line service (albeit up-gunned with 20mm cannon) until 1972.

The Irish Army purchased 15 of the vehicles (originally intended for the police force in the Belgian Congo), in 1971 at a bargain price.

The type had excellent off-road capability but poor on-road handling due to a high centre of gravity and several accidents occurred as a result.

Eventually the Unimog Scout Cars arrived in Ireland in February 1972, their departure having been delayed by a local peace group who thought they were destined for the Provisional Irish Republican Army.