Mechanization hurts COIN forces

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Of IEDS and MRAPs: Force Protection in Complex Irregular Operations - Andrew Krepinevich & Dakota L. Wood, Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (77 pg PDF)

Interesting report that points out some of the drawbacks of the MRAP with respect to COIN operations and implicitly criticizes DoD's rush to embrace the vehicle (currently 8,800 vehicles on order in 16 different variants, cost of $8 billion over FY 2007-2008, with eventual plans to expand to 17,000+ MRAPs by 2009).

Criticisms include:

• Runs counter to COIN doctrine of establishing relationships with the population, which theoretically is tougher to do from the confines of an armored truck rather than on foot or in an less-imposing hummvee.
• Increased logistical requirements will require more convoys, increasing vulnerability and casualties. Increased weight of armor lessens "lightness" and expeditionary capability of the force vs. hummvees.
• Insurgents can more cheaply and easily increase their armor-piercing capabilities than the U.S. can up-armor its troops.
• Opportunity cost issue.