The General Engineering Wing of the Air Force undertook the manufacture of an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), modelling these units somewhat on the lines of the famous Buffels of South Africa. This was in answer to the SLAF's requirement of a suitable vehicle to help in defending its airfields from attack a vehicle that could withstand small arms fire.

The APC's were built on all-wheel drive truck chassis and about a dozen were built in 1986. (In 1987, another six were built and put into service. Over the ensuing years, more units were built as and when required.)