On August 23, 2024, the U.S. Department of Defense delivered 24 International M1224 MaxxPro Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles to Kenyan personnel deployed in Haiti as part of the ongoing Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission. These vehicles will be added to an existing fleet of 10 MRAPs that the United States has already provided to assist the Haitian National Police (HNP) in their operations to restore security in areas affected by gang violence.
Along with the vehicles, 34 Overhead Gunner Protection Kits, also known as turrets, are being transported. Contractors funded by the Department of Defense will install these turrets on the MRAPs to enhance the tactical field of view and the safety of MSS personnel involved in joint security operations with the Haitian National Police. This delivery follows the signing of a Presidential Drawdown Authority by President Joe Biden in April 2024, which authorized the transfer of U.S. federal resources to countries contributing personnel to the MSS mission. The drawdown allows the Department of Defense and other U.S. agencies to supply equipment, supplies, parts, and services necessary to support the operations and maintenance of the MSS mission, including repairs and upkeep for the vehicle fleet.
The MSS mission was deployed in response to escalating violence, political instability, and widespread gang activity in Haiti, which has overwhelmed local authorities’ capacity to manage the crisis. Following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, Haiti has experienced increased violence and instability, driven largely by armed gangs that control significant portions of Port-au-Prince and other areas.
These 24 vehicles will be added to an existing fleet of 10 MRAPs that the United States has already provided to assist the Haitian National Police.