We may have always thought that special operations units often use aircraft, light armored vehicles such as Humvees, or even modified pickup trucks to move from one point to another. But little do we know that there is another type of vehicle that has been the main workhorse for the US Army Special Operations Unit for almost 2 decades. And the main user is none other than the Tier 1 unit, the Delta Force unit that we are familiar with. The vehicle in question is the AGMS or Armored Ground Mobility System.
AGMS in Syria in 2019 / Photo by Delil Souleman AFP
The AGMS is an armored vehicle based on the Pandur I, a 6x6 armored personnel carrier produced by Steyr-Daimler-Puch Spezialfahrzeug GmbH in Austria. However, the AGMS is very different from its big brother. To the naked eye, the AGMS is completely different from the Pandur I. The AGMS has a “CROWS II” automatic weapon turret (RWS) that can be armed with various heavy weapons* such as the M240 (US version of the MAG58), M2 (USA version of the MAG93), Mark 19 and HK GMG, additional armor plates all around including armor plates on the top and under the car, driver’s windshield, and front bumper, etc. The interior of the car is still a secret, but it is believed that the equipment inside the car is more modern than ordinary armored cars.
Pandur I - Prototype of AGMS car
The AGMS program began in 1999 when the U.S. Army awarded AV Technology a $51 million contract. Since its delivery, the AGMS has seen multiple military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, the AGMS was first seen in action when Delta Force rescued Private Jessica Lynch, who had been held captive by Iraqi forces during the Battle of Nasiriyah in 2003. Delta Force used the AGMS as the primary vehicle in conjunction with Humvees to rescue Private Lynch.
Tu Lam, owner of the Ronin Tactics brand , poses with the AGMS vehicle while working with Delta Force.
The need for armored vehicles for special operations forces was originally created after Operation Gothic Serpent in Somalia. Delta Force learned a costly lesson from that operation, one of which was that using only Humvees and air support trucks in combat in a structured area was “not enough”. In the end, both Delta Force and Ranger troops had to rely on armored vehicles from the United Nations peacekeeping force to transport troops and wounded out of the combat zone. This incident could be considered the beginning of the armored vehicle program of the US Army Special Operations Forces.
A Malaysian Army Condor armoured vehicle deployed on a peacekeeping mission in Somalia, helping Delta Force and Ranger units safely exit the area.
Today, the AGMS vehicles continue to serve in Syria as part of their mission. In an era where warfare is increasingly complex and undefined, whether it involves unconventional or conventional warfare, the AGMS vehicles are there to support Delta Force and Rangers in completing their missions and to prevent a repeat of past events.
AGMS vehicles provide support to SDF forces during an ISIS prisoner escape in northeastern Syria in early 2022 .
*AGMS vehicles can also be equipped with TOW anti-tank missiles.