Editing Technical (vehicle) (section)

== Features ==
Among [[Irregular military|irregular militaries]], often centered on the perceived strength and charisma of male [[warlord]]s, the prestige of technicals is strong. According to one article, "The Technical is the most significant symbol of power in southern [[Somalia]]. It is a small truck with large tripod machine guns mounted on the back. A warlord's power is measured by how many of these vehicles he has."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.psywarrior.com/SomaliaHerb.html |title=United States Psyop in Somalia, Herbert A. Friedman |publisher=Psywarrior.com |access-date=July 6, 2011}}</ref>
Technicals are not commonly used by well-funded militaries that are able to procure purpose-built combat vehicles, because the soft-skinned civilian vehicles that technicals are based on do not offer much armor protection to crew and passengers.

Technicals fill the niche of traditional [[light cavalry]]. Generally costing much less than purpose-built combat vehicles, the major asset of technicals is speed and mobility, as well as their ability to strike from unexpected directions with automatic fire and light troop deployment. The reliability of vehicles such as the [[Toyota Hilux]] is useful for forces that lack the repair-related infrastructure of a conventional military on land. In direct engagements they are no match for heavier vehicles, such as [[tank]]s or other [[armored fighting vehicle]]s, and they are mostly helpless against any [[Close air support|air support]] from a proper military. {{citation needed|date=October 2021}}