Senior government representatives from Afghanistan have highlighted the critical role being played by armoured vehicles in sustaining security but announced their intention to extend their current capability of two Mobile Strike Forces (MSFs) yet further, it emerged today.
Addressing delegates at the International Armoured Vehicles conference in London on 28 January, Maj.Gen. Payenda Mohammad Nazim, Inspector General, Afghan Ministry of Defence (MoD) described how armoured vehicles constituted a “major complement” to the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and specifically the Afghan National Army (ANA) becoming an optimised force.
“We are currently in a high combat readiness and armoured vehicles provide fire power, bigger communications and networks, flexibility and mobility for conventional and unconventional warfare,” Nazim explained.
However, he warned: “Unfortunately the ANA lacks such [armoured vehicle] capability presenting a huge challenge for the armed forces. This lack of armoured vehicles has resulted in high numbers of fatalities with 80% caused by IEDs. Armoured vehicles can dramatically reduce this. In addition to other requirements, armoured vehicles remain top of our list of priorities and we seek to acquire this important capability in line with our coalition allies.”
Currently, the ANA possesses two MSF units based out of Kabul and Kandahar, which operate Textron’s COMMAND protected vehicle or Mobile Strike Force Vehicle (MSFV). A total of 600 vehicles were delivered under a US Foreign Military Sales programme to Afghanistan with deliveries having been completed in March 2014.
Describing ongoing efforts by the government of Afghanistan to improve the tactical capabilities of the ANA, Nazim said: “The ANA currently comprises 195,000 troops who maintain remarkable operational and tactical capabilities thanks to the sustained efforts of the international community. The ANA has enjoyed increased capabilities over time in terms of quality, quantity and force structure in order to enhance combat effectiveness but it requires sustained help to maintain these capabilities and maintain the ANA as an effective force capable of executing combined arms operations.”
He also highlighted the recent achievement of ANSF in assuming responsibility for overall security in the country as well as providing security during last years presidential election, explaining: “The ANA remains fully committed to supporting rule of law, human rights as well as the creation of a just and transparent military institution. The ANSF exceeded everybody's expectations but the planned force drawdown of 150,000 multinational troops from Afghanistan created a whole new task for the ANA and ANSF at large with threats continuing to be posed by the Taliban and insurgent drawing support from outside the border of the country.”
Meanwhile, Brig.Gen. Imam Nazar, Commander of the ANA’s 2nd Armoured Mobile Strike Force, outlined the “importance and significance” of armoured vehicles in maintaining security across the country.
“The end of [NATO’s] International Security Assistance Force [ISAF] has left a big space and gap in the military and armoured force,” he explained. "In Afghanistan, there is war and trouble in many provinces but especially in the South and Southwest in Helmand, Kandahar, Uruzgan and Zabul provinces where the threat is serious or significant."
“These provinces have a long stretch of border with Pakistan and Iran and on both sides of the border there are different tribes making it obviously very difficult to control access and there are only two brigades replacing coalition forces who are armed with armoured vehicles,” he said while describing how the Kabul-based brigade supported the 201st, 203rd and 209th Corps in the South, Southeast and North of the country; while the second brigade based in Kandahar, supported 205th, 215th and 207th Corps in the South, Southwest and West of the country. “We have conducted a lot of training in order to professionalise our troops in regards to armoured vehicles and in 2013/4, we conducted driving, sniper, health and safety, command and signals and leadership lessons. Now, management lessons are being conducted.”
Current ANA TTPs see the MSFV deploy on the ground with commander and driver, dedicated sniper and between four and seven dismounted troops. An additional variant is being used for casualty evacuation and is capable of carrying two casualties- signalling another capability gap following the drawdown of NATO and coalition forces.
“The MSFV vehicle is very suitable for the terrain and current situation in Afghanistan,” Nazar explained. “Weaponry of this type is very effective against the enemy and also provides extremely strong protection against mines and RPGs. But the challenges we face relates to spare parts and ammunition.” Textron is contracted to supply spare parts to the MSFV fleet until the end of 2015.
However, referring to the wider support of ANA units around the country, Nazar warned: “Because ANA is equipped with Ranger vehicles and small arms, every unit requests Strike Force Brigade support and sometimes these requests are higher than our abilities.”
Finally, speaking to MT, sources within Textron admitted that they were awaiting an additional FMS decision which could see the company supplying an additional 60 MSFVs to the ANA later this year.
Addressing delegates at the International Armoured Vehicles conference in London on 28 January, Maj.Gen. Payenda Mohammad Nazim, Inspector General, Afghan Ministry of Defence (MoD) described how armoured vehicles constituted a “major complement” to the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and specifically the Afghan National Army (ANA) becoming an optimised force.
“We are currently in a high combat readiness and armoured vehicles provide fire power, bigger communications and networks, flexibility and mobility for conventional and unconventional warfare,” Nazim explained.
However, he warned: “Unfortunately the ANA lacks such [armoured vehicle] capability presenting a huge challenge for the armed forces. This lack of armoured vehicles has resulted in high numbers of fatalities with 80% caused by IEDs. Armoured vehicles can dramatically reduce this. In addition to other requirements, armoured vehicles remain top of our list of priorities and we seek to acquire this important capability in line with our coalition allies.”
Currently, the ANA possesses two MSF units based out of Kabul and Kandahar, which operate Textron’s COMMAND protected vehicle or Mobile Strike Force Vehicle (MSFV). A total of 600 vehicles were delivered under a US Foreign Military Sales programme to Afghanistan with deliveries having been completed in March 2014.
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| The Mobile Strike Force Vehicle (MSFV) is a new 4x4 armoured vehicle developed by Textron Marine & Land Systems for the Afghanistan National Army (ANA), under the US Army's MSFV programme. |
Describing ongoing efforts by the government of Afghanistan to improve the tactical capabilities of the ANA, Nazim said: “The ANA currently comprises 195,000 troops who maintain remarkable operational and tactical capabilities thanks to the sustained efforts of the international community. The ANA has enjoyed increased capabilities over time in terms of quality, quantity and force structure in order to enhance combat effectiveness but it requires sustained help to maintain these capabilities and maintain the ANA as an effective force capable of executing combined arms operations.”
He also highlighted the recent achievement of ANSF in assuming responsibility for overall security in the country as well as providing security during last years presidential election, explaining: “The ANA remains fully committed to supporting rule of law, human rights as well as the creation of a just and transparent military institution. The ANSF exceeded everybody's expectations but the planned force drawdown of 150,000 multinational troops from Afghanistan created a whole new task for the ANA and ANSF at large with threats continuing to be posed by the Taliban and insurgent drawing support from outside the border of the country.”
Meanwhile, Brig.Gen. Imam Nazar, Commander of the ANA’s 2nd Armoured Mobile Strike Force, outlined the “importance and significance” of armoured vehicles in maintaining security across the country.
“The end of [NATO’s] International Security Assistance Force [ISAF] has left a big space and gap in the military and armoured force,” he explained. "In Afghanistan, there is war and trouble in many provinces but especially in the South and Southwest in Helmand, Kandahar, Uruzgan and Zabul provinces where the threat is serious or significant."
“These provinces have a long stretch of border with Pakistan and Iran and on both sides of the border there are different tribes making it obviously very difficult to control access and there are only two brigades replacing coalition forces who are armed with armoured vehicles,” he said while describing how the Kabul-based brigade supported the 201st, 203rd and 209th Corps in the South, Southeast and North of the country; while the second brigade based in Kandahar, supported 205th, 215th and 207th Corps in the South, Southwest and West of the country. “We have conducted a lot of training in order to professionalise our troops in regards to armoured vehicles and in 2013/4, we conducted driving, sniper, health and safety, command and signals and leadership lessons. Now, management lessons are being conducted.”
Current ANA TTPs see the MSFV deploy on the ground with commander and driver, dedicated sniper and between four and seven dismounted troops. An additional variant is being used for casualty evacuation and is capable of carrying two casualties- signalling another capability gap following the drawdown of NATO and coalition forces.
“The MSFV vehicle is very suitable for the terrain and current situation in Afghanistan,” Nazar explained. “Weaponry of this type is very effective against the enemy and also provides extremely strong protection against mines and RPGs. But the challenges we face relates to spare parts and ammunition.” Textron is contracted to supply spare parts to the MSFV fleet until the end of 2015.
However, referring to the wider support of ANA units around the country, Nazar warned: “Because ANA is equipped with Ranger vehicles and small arms, every unit requests Strike Force Brigade support and sometimes these requests are higher than our abilities.”
Finally, speaking to MT, sources within Textron admitted that they were awaiting an additional FMS decision which could see the company supplying an additional 60 MSFVs to the ANA later this year.
Andrew White