I believe that the Army should keep up to four complete divisional sets of MRAPs for overseas contingency operations considering the stability operations performed simultaneously in Iraq and Afghanistan. These assets could be rotated for use amongst deployed brigades for stability operations, as well and maintained in theatre CENTCOM theatre stockage when no longer required. The remaining MRAPs not filling the four divisional sets could then be used as aid to other countries, or be candidates for foreign military sales. Reducing the number of OEMs will decrease longer term logistical support costs. The criteria I’d recommend to DoD would be: 1) consider the current durability of the six existing MRAP OEMs, 2) consider which OEMs offer vehicles that are suitable for the greatest variety of terrain, 3) and determine best cost for the government by competing a logistical support contract for each OEM.
The views expressed in this post are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the DoD, or the U.S. Government. Major Jeff Biggans, student ILE CGSC, Ft. Gordon, GA.