U.S. Awards $163M Contract to Textron to Supply 65 Commando 4x4 Armored Vehicles to Ukraine.

U.S. Textron Systems has secured a $163.4 million contract with the U.S. Army to produce and deliver 65 Commando Mobile Strike Force Vehicles to Ukraine under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. The award strengthens Ukraine’s protected mobility and sustainment capacity as ground operations continue in contested environments.

American Company Textron Systems Corporation announced on January 20, 2026, that it has been awarded a $163.4 million contract to supply Ukraine with 65 Commando Mobile Strike Force Vehicles under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. The agreement, executed through the Foreign Military Sales framework by the U.S. Army Contracting Command at Detroit Arsenal, also includes a one-year package of spare parts and sustainment support, underscoring Washington’s continued focus on durable, battlefield-ready ground mobility for Ukrainian forces.
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U.S. Company Textron Systems will deliver 65 COMMANDO Select Mobile Strike Force Vehicles to Ukraine through the Foreign Military Sales mechanism, strengthening ground maneuver and force protection. (Picture source: Textron)

Textron’s COMMANDO is a combat-proven 4x4 armored vehicle platform designed for high-threat, high-mobility missions. The vehicle has been extensively fielded with the U.S. Army and allied forces in both conventional and asymmetric operations (unconventional warfare involving irregular tactics). With a heritage rooted in the Cadillac Gage Commando series, the current generation COMMANDO Select has undergone significant modernization to meet evolving battlefield requirements across multiple theaters (areas where military operations take place).

Built on a V-hull monocoque design, the vehicle provides scalable protection against mines, IEDs, and ballistic threats, rated up to STANAG 4569 Level 4 with armor upgrades. The integrated survivability suite includes blast-resistant seating, fire-suppression systems, and options for spall liners and mission-specific appliqué kits. It can carry a standard crew of nine, including a driver and commander, and up to seven dismounts, depending on configuration.

Powered by a Cummins 6.7L diesel engine delivering 300 horsepower and paired with an Allison automatic transmission, the COMMANDO Select reaches speeds of up to 105 km/h and has a road range exceeding 600 km. The suspension system features fully independent coil springs with hydraulic dampers, engineered to withstand harsh terrain and urban rubble. A central tire inflation system (CTIS, which allows air pressure to be adjusted while driving) and run-flat inserts (enabling continued travel after tire puncture) provide enhanced mobility in degraded conditions, making it particularly suitable for dynamic frontlines such as those seen in Ukraine's eastern and southern regions.

The vehicles ordered under this contract will be manufactured at Textron’s U.S. facilities over a three-year delivery period, with initial rollouts expected in late 2026. According to sources familiar with the program, the MSFV (Mobile Strike Force Vehicle) configuration for Ukraine will feature enhanced battlefield connectivity, encrypted digital communications systems, and optional integration of remote weapon stations (remotely operated gun mounts) armed with 12.7mm heavy machine guns or 30mm cannons, depending on mission role.

Textron Systems has confirmed that the contract includes a tailored training package for Ukrainian forces, covering operator instruction, field maintenance procedures, and system diagnostics. Training will be delivered through a combination of U.S.-based programs and in-theater (on-location) mobile teams coordinated with the Security Assistance Group–Ukraine (SAG-U), a U.S. Department of Defense unit supporting aid delivery. This support structure is intended to ensure rapid deployment and seamless integration into Ukraine’s existing mechanized formations (organized armored units).

The COMMANDO Select has already proven its adaptability in prior deployments with U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as in foreign partner fleets such as the Afghan National Army’s Mobile Strike Force Vehicle units. Its modular design (built from interchangeable parts), high readiness rates (being consistently operational), and compatibility with NATO-standard equipment make it an ideal choice for Ukraine’s expanding Western-aligned defense architecture (the structure of military forces and resources).

Although the Pentagon has not publicly identified the Ukrainian units slated to receive the new vehicles, military analysts suggest that they will likely reinforce mechanized brigades operating in high-risk sectors where survivability and cross-country mobility are paramount. In previous battlefield conditions, light- and medium-armored platforms without sufficient blast protection have suffered significant attrition. The COMMANDO Select addresses that gap with its balance of armor, mobility, and payload capacity.

This award further underscores the U.S. Department of Defense’s strategic commitment to not only provide Ukraine with immediate battlefield support but also to invest in long-term capability development through scalable, sustainable defense assistance. For Textron Systems, the contract reflects a renewed focus on mobile protected firepower and modular vehicle platforms for 21st-century combat operations.

As the war in Ukraine enters a more complex and attritional phase, the arrival of vehicles like the COMMANDO Select is poised to help Kyiv sustain maneuver operations under persistent threat. This capability will enable both rapid offensive actions and flexible withdrawals, ultimately strengthening Ukraine’s resilience in contested areas.

Textron Systems has delivered more than 10,000 ground combat vehicles worldwide and continues to expand its role in U.S. and allied armored programs. By integrating the COMMANDO Select into its forces, Ukraine acquires a mission-flexible asset capable of supporting modernization and sustaining effectiveness in future ground operations.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.