The GAZ-69 4×4 light truck is a Soviet made four wheel drive all terrain capable light truck. It was manufactured in the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1972. Over 650 000 vehicles were produced in different factories, in various versions. The GAZ-69 was widely exported to almost every continent of the world both to neutral and pro-Soviet regimes. The later M model was also acquired by Finnish Defense Forces, alongside other materiel purchases from the Soviet weapons factories.

The vehicle was the first proper and modern off-road capable car acquired by the Finnish Defense Forces after the world wars. The first 40 cars were bought in 1960, with follow up deliveries continuing until the 1970s. Since the end of the war, the technical development of 4×4 cars and off-road vehicles had gone forward in leaps and bounds, and the new car was instantly accepted by the conscripts and military personnel designated to operate it. Compared to many early 1960s vehicles from the east or the west, which often had many issues with harsh Finnish nature and weather, the GAZ did not bat an eye for such obstacles. On average all the GAZ-69M vehicles were used for slightly over 9 years in the Defense Force service, before being abandoned as too damaged or old to repair.

GAZ-69M was used by the Defense Forces until the mid-to-late 1980s. From the late 1970s onwards, it was begun to be replaced by the UAZ-469, which was also purchased and acquired as side deals from the Soviet Union in significant numbers. Another successor to the UAZ-69M cars were the 4×4 pick-up trucks and utility vehicles bought from the Toyota Motor Company of Japan, like the Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota HiAce and Toyota Hilux models, which were first purchased from 1983 onwards and have since been replaced by newer models of the same type up until the year 2020.

References: Mäkipirtti, Markku Puolustusvoimien moottoriajoneuvot 1960-2000 Apali 2006.