The PI M113A1 had the driver and engine at the front, with an enclosed weapon station in the center of the hull and the commander seated at the rear.

[citation needed] While the US was uninterested in the design, a number of other governments were interested in the vehicle, which was simpler, lighter, and cheaper than the Bradley.

Some changes were made at the request of the Dutch government, including shifting the weapon station to the right side and moving the commander behind the driver.

Under the YPR-2000 program, virtually all Dutch vehicles were upgraded to YPR-765A1 standard and are easily identified by the 3-tone NATO camouflage pattern[clarification needed].

[citation needed] The Philippines also received 45 vehicles in 1979, these were intended to take 25mm cannons, although some were later modified to fit 12.7mm machine guns.

[citation needed] Turkey selected the AIFV in 1989, after a competition involving the Alvis Vickers Warrior IFV, Krauss-Maffei PUMA and United Defense LP Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle.

A little way into the production run, with 200 vehicles completed, the Turkish AIFV specification was updated to include a more powerful powerpack developing 300 horsepower, an Allison X-200-4 transmission and hydrostatic steering from the M113A3.

[citation needed] The hull of the vehicle is made of welded aluminium, with steel laminate spaced armor bolted onto the side and front.

Original production AIFVs can swim without deploying flotation curtains, using only a large front-mounted trim vane; they are propelled in the water by their tracks.