AVGP means Armoured Vehicle General Purpose.

Purchased by the Canadian military in the late 70's the AVGP consisted of three vehicles with similar chassis. They were:

Cougar: 3 man crew armed with a 76mm main gun. Used as a tank trainer and fire support vehicle on UN missions.

Grizzly APC: 2 man crew and armed with a .50 cal and 7.62mm NATO machinegun. Designed to carry a section of infantry.

Husky ARV: Designed to provide mechanical support for the other two vehicles.

These 6 wheeled vehicles were based on the Mowag Piranha, of Switzerland. Like the 8 wheeled Coyote, and unlike the 8 wheeled American Stryker, these vehicles mounted propellers for amphibious use. The Canadian Armed Forces Coyotes, the US Marine Corp's LAV, and the US Army's Stryker are lineal descendants of these vehicles.

AVGP today

The Cougar is only used for training in Canada as a recce vehicle. The Grizzly is no longer in front line service but are being converted to support vehicles (ie command post). The Husky still serves in its original role.

External link

• Canadian army equipment
• SFU site with on the AVGP.
• SFU site on the Canadian Forces ‘Wheeled Light Armoured Vehicle Life Extension’ program.