Burkina Faso military has acquired dozens of VN-22 armoured vehicles from China, to enhance its combat lethality.
At least 20 of the vehicles arrived Tema seaport on Saturday 26 October, from China heading to Ouagadougo. Burkina Faso versions are equipped with a 30 mm autocannon.
The VN-22 is a family of Chinese wheeled 6×6 armoured fighting vehicles intended for export. Designed and produced by Norinco, it was first unveiled at the 13th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in 2021.
Since the VN-22 was designed to be modular, the platform can be mounted with a variety of different turrets housing various weapon systems.
Typically, the family of the VN-22 wheeled armored vehicles, primarily focuses on export, has featured variants aimed at armored personnel transport (APC) and infantry combat (IFV) equipped with both manned and unmanned turrets. These come with a variety of armament options, ranging from light and heavy machine guns to 30mm cannons.
The vehicle has appliqué armour plating covering the majority of the vehicle. When fully equipped, they give the vehicle the ability to protect against 14.5 mm amour-piercing rounds (NATO STANAG 4569 Level 4 equivalent) from all directions.
The VN22 also features a V-shaped hull for enhanced protection against landmines and IEDs.
In Africa, the VN-22 has been exported to Ivory Coast and Senegal. They would enhance the combat capabilities of the Burkina Faso’s Army.
This is the latest in a series of acquisitions by the Burkinababe army. Burkina Faso is facing a worsening humanitarian and security crisis as jihadist armed groups have extended their control to around 40% of the national territory. The country’s junta-led government has pursued an aggressive military campaign against the insurgents. The acquisition of new military equipment from China, which is a major economic partner of Burkina Faso, may signal the junta’s intention to consolidate its power and resist external pressure for a return to constitutional order.
In January, the National Armed Forces of Burkina Faso took into service a significant consignment of armoured vehicles from China, in a delivery event attended by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the president of Burkina Faso.
The Chinese equipment includes six WMA301 fire-support vehicles, which are armed with 105 mm guns and made by Chinese company Norinco. Eight CS/SM1 self-propelled mortars, which use a Dongfeng light tactical vehicle as a platform and have a caliber of 81 mm. These are the first of their kind to be seen in Africa.
In addition, Burkina Faso acquires 60 mm WW90 mortar, mortar rounds, and rounds for RPG-7-type recoilless guns. According to Minister of Defence Brigadier General Kassoum Coulibaly, this was the first of five consignments that are expected to arrive over the coming months under the strategic equipment plan.
In June, 50 more CS/VP14 and 40 VP11 mine-resistance ambush-protected (MRAP) were delivered to Burkina Faso from China.
Similarly, Burkina Faso acquired a batch of mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles from Egypt in January. The vehicles are the Buffalo E10, an improved version of the Temsah-2, which is Egypt’s flagship locally produced armored vehicle.
Last year, French soldiers who have been fighting Islamist militants in Burkina Faso were ordered to leave the country, dealing another blow to Europe’s presence in a region where Russia’s influence is growing. France has 400 special forces soldiers stationed in junta-ruled Burkina Faso to battle an Islamist insurgency, but relations have deteriorated in recent months.
In January 2023, Turkey delivered the first batch of four Nurol Makina Edjer 6×6 armoured fighting vehicle to the Burkina Faso Army. The Nurol Makina Edjer 6×6 acquisition is part of a larger contract that includes a number of Nurol Ejder Yalçın 4×4 armoured vehicle which has since been delivered.
The country alongside neighbouring Nigér, recently withdrew from the G5 Sahel force a regional anti-jihadist coalition that was set up in 2014 with the support of France. The two countries have joined Mali, which also quit the G5 last year after a military coup, in forming a new alliance of Sahel states that aims to enhance their security and development.
Subsequently, Burkina’s military rulers deepened cooperation with Moscow as the country looks to diversify its international allies following a coup last year, at the detriment of former colonial master France. Russia, which has grown more isolated since its Ukraine offensive, has in recent months discussed greater military cooperation with Burkina Faso.
