An-124s Contribute To MRAP Delivery Effort.

MRAP (mine resistant, ambush protected) vehicle

The vulnerability of ground forces to IEDs and landmines has led to a major effort by coalition forces in the conflict areas of the Iraq and Afghanistan to provide better protection for their ground forces.

The MRAP or mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle is part of the US response to this requirement and the 10.000th MRAP was delivered into the region by C-17 Globemaster this week.

Since 2007 some 3,000 of these vehicles have been delivered to Central Command by air while a further 7,000 have been moved by sea.

To move this quantity of vehicles has required a major airlift effort achieved by a combination of US C-5 and C-17 Globemasters supplemented by An124-100 aircraft contracted by the US military.