Commandos of Afghan army use MSFV armoured to fight ISIS terrorists

National Mission Brigade Commandos of the Afghan National Army uses Mobile Strike Force Vehicles (MSFVs) to fight ISIS-K terrorists responsible for the pre-dawn attack near the Afghan National Army’s Marshall Fahim Military Academy in western Kabul, Afghanistan. Jan. 29, 2018.

Mobile Strike Force Vehicles, such as the one pictured above, provided Commandos mobility, protection, and firepower to eliminate five ISIS-K terrorists in Kabul, Afghanistan, Jan. 29, 2018. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Connor Mendez)

The Commandos deployed within minutes of alert to repel the terrorists. Arriving via two Mobile Strike Force Vehicles, the special operators immediately established blocking and assault positions. The ISIS-K fighters attempted to maneuver on the Commandos, hoping to attack the special operators with their suicide vests.

The Commandos engaged the terrorists with small arms fire and grenade launchers from the MSFVs. Accurate fire from the Commandos detonated two ISIS-K fighters’ suicide vests, killing four terrorists and wounding the remaining ISIS-K member.

The MSFVs provide the Commandos a significant advantage against their adversaries. Seven new Cobra Strike Kandaks, Commando battalions equipped with the MSFVs, are scheduled for fielding by 2020. The first CSK will be operational in early May 2018.

The Mobile Strike Force Vehicle (MSFV) is a 4×4 wheeled armoured vehicle developed by the American Company Textron Marine & Land Systems for the Afghanistan National Army (ANA).

Since 2011, Textron Marine & Land Systems has received orders for a total of 634 vehicles with a total of 575 vehicles delivered to the Afghan National Army in three variants.

The MSFV’s design is based on the combat-proven M1117 armoured security vehicle (ASV) offering high level of ballistic and blast protection . The vehicle is fitted with a one-man open top turret which can be armed with a 40mm automatic grenade launcher or one 12.7mm caliber machine gun.