VBIED

A vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) is an improvised explosive device placed inside a vehicle, such as a car, van, or truck, and detonated to cause destruction. When the attacker drives the vehicle and detonates it themselves, the attack is often referred to as a suicide VBIED (SVBIED). The technique is used to deliver a large blast payload to a target location, overcome security perimeters, and maximize casualties and damage through overpressure, fragmentation, and secondary effects.

VBIEDs are employed by a range of actors, including terrorist organizations, insurgent groups, and, in some cases, state or non-state actors. They can be used against crowded or critical sites, military or security installations, transportation hubs, or convoys. Attacks may be planned to breach a checkpoint, penetrate a fortified facility, or create disruption and fear. Payloads vary but are typically designed to maximize blast effect, often combining high explosive charges with shrapnel materials.

Mitigation and response rely on layered security and preparedness. Measures include vehicle screening at access points, physical barriers and controlled standoff distances, rapid inspection protocols, and enhanced surveillance. Intelligence gathering and interdiction help disrupt plots before execution. In the event of an attack, emergency response plans focus on mass-casualty management, evacuation procedures, and rapid medical relief, along with structural evaluations of affected infrastructure.

Notable cases in the late 20th and early 21st centuries include attacks in Beirut in 1983, the World Trade Center bombing in 1993, and the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, all of which used vehicles to deliver significant explosive power. VBIEDs remain a concern for security and defense planning in various regions worldwide.