October 12, 2006: The U.S. Marine Corps brought another 281 LAV-A2 wheeled armored vehicles, for about $1.1 million each. The marines have been using these vehicles for over two decades now, and that experience influenced the army to adopt the Stryker (which is actually a further development of the LAV design, from the same manufacturer). The LAV series are a licensed version of the Swiss MOWAG Piranha. This model is in use by many other countries, like Chile, Belgium. Sweden, Denmark, Ireland and Spain. MOWAG is now owned by an American corporation. The marines are also buying 394 electric drive turrets, some of which will be used to equip existing LAVs.