The Bernardini Model AM-IV armoured security vehicle was originally developed as a private venture and has been designed mainly for use in the internal security role although its 4 × 4 drive gives it good cross-country mobility. The first prototype was completed in 1988 and, by mid-2007, about 60 vehicles had been built for the home and export markets. It is understood that Bernardini is no longer involved in the design, development and production of tracked armoured vehicles. These upgrades included the M113 (new diesel engine), upgraded M41 series light tanks and the development of light tanks for the Brazilian Army. All of the latter have now been phased out of service. Description

The layout of the Bernardini AM-IV armoured security vehicle is conventional, with the engine at the front, commander and driver in the centre and four men in the rear of the vehicle. The commander and driver are both provided with a forward-opening side door while the rear door is electrically operated by the driver. The side and rear windows are provided with wire mesh protection while the driver's and commander's windows can be covered by a shutter, hinged at the top. There is also a roof hatch, enabling heavier weapons to be used from within the vehicle.

The all-welded steel armoured hull provides protection against 7.62 mm and 9 mm small arms fire with the windows providing the same level of protection as the hull. The interior of the vehicle is insulated.

There are nine firing ports provided in the front, side doors, hull sides and rear hull door allowing the occupants to use their small arms in safety from within the vehicle.

Early production versions of this vehicle were fitted with a chemical filter for clean air.

Standard equipment includes an air conditioning system, a fixed Halon fire-suppression system in the engine compartment and wheel arches, three-point internal seat belts for all six crew members, flashing lights on the roof and a searchlight mounted well above the roof that can be controlled from inside the vehicle by the commander or driver.

Some vehicles have recently been observed with a bank of electrically-operated grenade dischargers mounted on the roof of the vehicle either side at the rear.