In the early 1980s, among military jeeps from seven different countries, five models are still in service today

Since their birth during World War II, jeeps have become indispensable military vehicles in armies. Military jeeps from all over the world basically share a common feature: they are highly versatile. They can not only be used to transport commanders but also be assigned to infantry and scouts for combat or to tow combat equipment. In short, military jeeps have a wide range of uses.

So in this article, we will take a look at military jeeps from seven different countries in the early 1980s.

I.China: BJ-212

The most commonly used jeep in China in the early 1980s was the BJ-212 model.

This model was also China's first military jeep to be mass-equipped and serve in the army. It came out in the mid-1960s and was soon commissioned into the military for service.

The BJ-212 military jeep comes in two versions: an open-top version and a soft-top version. The open-top version is mainly used for combat and can be mounted with weapons such as light machine guns, heavy machine guns, grenade launchers, and recoilless rifles.

The latter, the soft-top version, is primarily used for transportation by military leaders, commanders, or non-combat personnel.

The BJ-212 military jeep is also available in an open-top version and a soft-top version. The open-top version is mainly used for combat operations and can be fitted with weapons such as light machine guns, heavy machine guns, grenade launchers, and recoilless rifles.

The latter, the soft-top version, is primarily intended for use by military leaders, commanders, or non-combat personnel.

II.United States: Ford M151 Series

In the early 1980s, the U.S. military was equipped with the Ford M151 series jeeps. Why not Humvees? Because the Humvee assault vehicles were not commissioned into the U.S. military until the mid-1980s, so prior to that, the U.S. military had been using the small jeeps of the Ford M151 series.

The Ford M151 series was actually developed by modifying the World War II-era Willys MB jeep. It still retains a generally similar structure and purpose, but the M151 series features a more powerful engine and a widened body.

The Ford M151 series includes a variety of models with a wide range of uses. Among them, the command version for officer transportation is usually equipped with a soft top, which can protect against sandy weather or rain.

Combat models typically feature an open cabin, on which a Browning M2HB 12.7mm machine gun is usually mounted. Of course, some are also fitted with 40mm grenade launchers or recoilless rifles.

The M151 series also had a long service life in the U.S. military. It was used from the early 1950s until the mid-1980s, when it was replaced by the emergence of the Humvee.

III.United Kingdom: Land Rover Defender

In the early 1980s, the British military used the military version of the Land Rover Defender, which was produced domestically.

The British military's Land Rover Defender was adopted in 1948. During its service, later models underwent multiple facelifts and upgrades, resulting in changes to the vehicle's front face, overall appearance, and engine.

The military Land Rover Defender jeep, similar in positioning to the U.S. military's Ford M151 series, serves as a multi-purpose light vehicle in the troops. It can be used for transporting officers, or assigned to infantry and scouts for combat, fire support, and other tasks.

With its ruggedness, durability, and outstanding performance, the military Land Rover Defender jeep was deeply loved by British officers and soldiers at that time. Even today, some tactically modified military Land Rover Defender jeeps are still in service with the British Army.

IV.The former Soviet Union: UAZ-496

In the early 1980s, the Soviet military used the domestically produced UAZ-469 jeep, also known as the "Uaz" 469.

The UAZ-469 came out in the 1970s and was subsequently equipped by the Soviet Army, replacing the outdated GAZ-69 series.

In the 1980s, the UAZ-469 jeep was very common in the Soviet military and came in two versions: an open-top version and a soft-top version. The open-top version was mainly assigned to combat personnel for battle use and was usually mounted with a 7.62mm machine gun or a 12.7mm heavy machine gun. Of course, some were also equipped with automatic grenade launchers, recoilless rifles, and other weapons. The soft-top version was generally allocated for the use of frontline commanders or non-combat personnel.

The UAZ-469 is also regarded as one of the most successful military jeeps in the world. Boasting features such as sturdiness and durability, simple structure, and excellent off-road performance, it was deeply trusted by the officers and soldiers of the Soviet Army and the Warsaw Pact camp at that time.

The UAZ-469 has also had a long service life, being in service from the 1970s to the present day. Even now, a small number of early-produced UAZ-469 jeeps are still retained in the Russian military. At the same time, some military forces in regions such as Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa are also equipped with UAZ-469 jeeps purchased from the Soviet Union back in those years.

V.West Germany: Mercedes-Benz G-Class

In the early 1980s, the West German military used the domestically produced Mercedes-Benz G-Class military jeep.

This model came out in the late 1970s and was commissioned into the West German Army, replacing the earlier Volkswagen series Kubelwagen. It soon became the main military jeep of the West German military.

In the 1980s, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class military jeep had a variety of uses in the West German military. In addition to being used for transporting officers and for soldiers' combat operations, it was also used to carry combat materials, military goods, and was modified into a carrier vehicle for light weapons.

Since its inception, the vehicle has undergone improvements and upgrades over more than 40 years, spawning a variety of models. Even today, it remains one of the commonly used jeeps in the German Army. At the same time, many European countries currently also adopt Germany's Mercedes-Benz G-Class military jeep.

VI.Japan: Mitsubishi Type 73

After the establishment of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force in the 1950s, it had been using American-made military jeeps, such as the Willys MB series and the Ford M151 series. It was not until the 1970s that it began to equip domestically produced military jeeps, namely the Mitsubishi Type 73.

Essentially, the Mitsubishi Type 73 military jeep is an improved product based on the chassis of American-made jeeps. Even its body layout and general structure are quite similar to those of American jeeps.

The Mitsubishi Type 73 has a wide range of uses in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. Some are allocated for commanders' transportation, some are used to tow mortars and rocket launchers, and others are equipped with machine guns, grenade launchers, or recoilless rifles, serving as combat vehicles for infantry.

Like military jeeps of other countries, the passenger version is generally fitted with a detachable soft top. For the combat version, to facilitate the installation of weapons, it features an open cabin without a roof.

Despite being an old jeep finalized in the 1970s, a small number of old Mitsubishi Type 73 jeeps are still in service in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force to this day.

VII.France: Dongfeng Peugeot P4

In the 1980s, the jeep used by the French military was the Dongfeng Peugeot P4, also known as the Peugeot P4 all-terrain multi-purpose vehicle.

In fact, the Dongfeng Peugeot P4 was a French version of the G-Class off-road vehicle produced under license from Germany. It was developed in the late 1970s and inducted into the French military in the early 1980s.

In terms of appearance and body layout, the P4 is basically the same as the original German military G-Class off-road vehicle. However, the French-produced version is equipped with a domestically manufactured diesel engine and an on-board radio is added inside the vehicle.

Nowadays, the Dongfeng Peugeot P4 military jeep is still used by the French military. Most of them are used for combat or transporting military supplies. Of course, some simplified versions are also allocated to airborne units, serving as fire support vehicles for paratroopers.

That's all for this article. Do you have anything else to say about these military jeeps? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. If you want to learn more, don't forget to follow us – we'll be back with more updates next time.