The Iranian FARS news agency has published a photo showing Toofan Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle of the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) “Emam Zaman” Mechanized Brigade during competition in East Azerbaijan. The Toofan (Storm or Hurricane) is an Iranian MRAP armored vehicle. It was designed and manufactured by the Iranian Ministry of Defence to enter into service with the IRGC Ground Forces and NAJA. The Toofan was publicly unveiled on November 20, 2018 with Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami attending the event. After the MRAP was unveiled, Streit Group has mentioned that they are looking into legal options for a redress.
The Toofan was developed to provide Iranian forces with a highly mobile vehicle that is capable of carrying out logistics and combat missions in all possible theaters of war. It has a 360 hp engine with the Toofan able to drive through 1.5 meters of water and climbing barriers as high as 50 centimeters. It can carry up to 10 personnel and is equipped with run-flat tires which enables it to drive for 50 kilometers with a flat tire. It can also drive at speeds of up to 100 km/h.
The features of the Toofan are that it is mine-resistant ambush protected with ballistic protection to resist land mines, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and steel core bullets. The Toofan features a V-shaped wall monocoque armoured hull design. The engine compartment is completely armoured for protection against damages. It can be outfitted with STANAG 2 or 3 protection. The Toofan mine-resistant ambush protected can be equipped with semi-heavy weapons onto the tailgate gun shields and turrets, including a 12.7 heavy machine gun with gun shield.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is a branch of the Iranian Armed Forces, founded after the Iranian Revolution on 22 April 1979 by order of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. While the Islamic Republic of Iran Army defends Iranian borders and maintains internal order, according to the Iranian constitution, the Revolutionary Guard (pasdaran) is intended to protect the country’s Islamic republic political system. The Revolutionary Guards base their role in protecting the Islamic system as well as preventing foreign interference and coups by the military or “deviant movements”. IRGC had at least 250,000 military personnel including ground, aerospace and naval forces.
