Late August 2025, the U.S. Army Contracting Command at Detroit Arsenal published a notice of intent to sign a three-year contract with Textron for the production of 65 Mobile Strike Force Vehicles (MSFV). The name refers to a modified version of the 4×4-wheeled M1117 Armored Security Vehicles originally designed for the Afghanistan forces back in the 2010s, The War Zone reports.
The key detail is that the contract is planned "in support of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative," strongly suggesting that the vehicles will be transferred to the Ukrainian Defense Forces. The agreement also covers an annual supply of spare parts.
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A similar announcement was issued in July, when the U.S. Army sought a supplier to produce 65 MSFVs with a three-year delivery schedule — though that time, Ukraine was not mentioned.
The Mobile Strike Force Vehicle was developed by Textron Marine & Land Systems specifically for the Afghan National Army (ANA). The first order for 240 vehicles was placed in May 2011, and the first 18 mass-produced units were delivered just six months later, in November.
Three variants were built in total: an armored personnel carrier with a turret (similar to the M1117), an APC with an Objective Gunner's Protection Kit (OGPK) turret, and a light armored ambulance.
The new 2025 contract does not specify which variant will be manufactured for Ukraine. However, the notice hints at the first version, as it requires the ability to mount a Mk19 grenade launcher and an M2 heavy machine gun for firing from inside the turret, as well as interchangeable use of the M2, M240, and M249 machine guns for firing from outside.
Ukraine already operates M1117 armored personnel carriers, though their delivery was delayed by nearly two years — first announced in 2022, the vehicles were only seen in Ukraine in 2024.
The MSFV, however, offers improved survivability thanks to higher protection levels and larger tires that enhance mine resistance. The MSFV hull is also 0.6 meters longer than the original M1117. In the version with the OGPK turret, the vehicle can carry a crew of 10.
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