UKSF Bushmasters Spotted In Syria
19.12.2018
Various social media sites have recently shown photos and video of United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF) Bushmaster armoured vehicles operating in Syria.
US and UK special forces vehicles (M-ATV by @OshkoshDefense + Bushmaster by @ThalesDefence) in Hajin, in the Deir Ezzor province, eastern #Syria, on December 15, 2018 (by @Delilsouleman @afpfr) #SOF pic.twitter.com/Lk1AfItXkt
— FdeStV (@Marsattaqueblog) December 18, 2018
The Bushmaster has been in service with British Special Forces since 2008, when 24 were purchased for use by the 22nd Special Air Service (22 SAS) in Iraq. The vehicle, made by Thales in Australia, is armoured to protect against small arms fire and features a V-shaped hull designed to channel the blast from IEDs away from its occupants. The UKSF uses a modified version of the baseline Bushmaster, known as the Escapade, which has additional armour fitted, along with electronic anti-IED countermeasures and a remote weapon system (RWS).
more info: SAS Mobility Troop: Bushmaster
British Special Forces are understood to be operating as part of Operation Shader, the UK's military campaign against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. A 2016 BBC report showed UKSF using Al-Thalab (Fox) Long Range Patrol Vehicles. [1]. This year it was revealed that a RAF Special Forces Hercules was lost after a hard landing in Iraq in support of Op Shader.[2]
Related Media
A search of social media finds these previous images of UKSF Bushmasters...
UKSF Bushmaster "Escapade" in #Raqqa h/t @ThomasRizmo pic.twitter.com/rd6KGeCa7V
— Abraxas Spa (@AbraxasSpa) July 13, 2017
UKSF Bushmaster "Escapade", and Pandur on the left? via @Mohab_Naser2 pic.twitter.com/iqN2ZfZjrW
— Abraxas Spa (@AbraxasSpa) May 17, 2017
More info / further reading:
- 1. Photos Of British Special Forces In Syria Are Revealed By BBC
(Elite UK Forces Report)
- 2. RAF Special Forces Hercules Loss Revealed
(Elite UK Forces Report)
