Infantry mobility vehicle

Similar vehicles existed long before the term IMV was coined, such as the French VAB and South African Buffel.

In response to the increased threat of IEDs in the Global War on Terror, a large number of IMVs were acquired by belligerents.

In 2002, the United States Marine Corps began deploying Cougars built by Force Protection for use in Afghanistan.

Thousands of units have been ordered as part of the American Mine Resistant Ambush Protected and Joint Light Tactical Vehicle programs, respectively.

IMVs are resistant to small arms and explosives but aren't designed to defeat heavy machine gun and cannon fire, or shaped charge attack.

Offroad maneuverability may be limited due to lack of all wheel drive, power to weight, and high ground pressure.

The original Rhodesian Mine Ambush Protected vehicles were derived from Unimog, Mercedes, and Nissan truck chassis.