The United Arab Emirates and Benin signed a Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation in Abu Dhabi on October 15, 2025, establishing the first formal framework for military collaboration between the two nations. Benin’s Minister of Defence and the UAE’s Minister of State for Defence Affairs inked the deal, focusing on coordination, training programs, and expertise exchange. This agreement builds on accelerating bilateral momentum that began in March 2023 when UAE Minister of State Shaikh Shakhboot bin Nahayan Al Nahyan visited Cotonou and met President Patrice Talon. Discussions there emphasized shifting from traditional aid to structured, mutual strategic partnerships in security and defence.
Momentum continued in January 2025 as UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan hosted Benin’s Foreign Minister Shegun Adjadi Bakari in Abu Dhabi. The ministers reaffirmed commitments to deeper ties and addressed regional security, placing defence on the recurring bilateral agenda. In August 2025, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan sent congratulations to President Talon on Benin’s national day, sustaining high-level communication. Verified unchanged as of December 15, 2025, the MoU opens paths for joint activities, capacity building, and sharing of operational practices.
Abu Dhabi regards Benin as a stable West African anchor amid Sahel instability, while Cotonou values Emirati technical support and training. Benin’s forces face escalating jihadist incursions from Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin and Islamic State affiliates spilling from Burkina Faso and Niger. Attacks intensified in 2025, with notable losses in northern departments like Alibori and Atacora under Operation Mirador, Benin’s dedicated counter-insurgency effort launched in 2023. The operation fields specialised units in Pendjari and W National Parks, where porous borders enable militant transit and improvised explosive device ambushes.
Tangible cooperation emerged with Benin’s acquisition of Calidus MCAV-20 4×4 light armoured vehicles from the UAE. Four MCAV-20s debuted publicly during Benin’s 65th independence day parade on August 1, 2025, in Cotonou, alongside nine Belarusian Cayman vehicles. Deliveries occurred in 2024, supporting modernisation against Sahel threats. The MCAV-20, launched by Abu Dhabi-based Calidus in February 2021, weighs 7 to 9 tons and reaches 110 kilometres per hour with a Cummins 6.7-litre diesel engine producing around 330 horsepower. Its independent suspension and 800-kilometre range suit extended patrols in arid northern Benin, though fuel demands strain logistics in remote bases.
Protection varies by variant: the MCAV001 offers STANAG 4569 Level 2 ballistic and mine resistance, upgradable to Level 3 with appliqué armour; the MCAV005 provides Level 3 baseline with enhanced crew space for six dismounts. A smart hull accommodates remote weapon stations or turrets up to 30 millimetres, balancing firepower with mobility, but added modules reduce range by 10-15 per cent in high-heat operations common to the region. Benin pairs these with lighter assets for rapid response, trading heavy armour for speed against agile insurgents.
This procurement aligns with Benin’s broader upgrades, including European Union-donated surveillance aircraft and U.S. airfield refurbishments in Parakou for medical evacuations. Recruitment drives expanded forces by thousands since 2023, forming elite units like the First Commando Parachute Battalion. Yet challenges persist: outdated small arms in line units contrast with elite gear, and coordination gaps with neighbours complicate cross-border pursuits.
UAE’s African engagement prioritises countering Islamist groups while securing economic footholds. Edge Group delegations, including Calidus representatives, joined 2024 business visits to Benin, exploring infrastructure and energy. The MoU extends this to defence, potentially including joint exercises or advisor deployments. Emirati platforms like the MCAV-20, exported to Chad, Ethiopia, Mauritania, Mozambique, Sudan, and Uganda, prove reliable in similar theatres, offering modular upgrades without complex supply chains.
For Benin, Emirati ties diversify from French and U.S. support, reducing dependency amid Sahel spillovers. Northern attacks displaced communities and disrupted trade, with JNIM exploiting governance voids. MCAV-20s enhance convoy security and quick reaction, though operators must manage dust ingress affecting optics and engines in park terrains.
The partnership signals the UAE’s growing West African footprint, complementing Gulf investments in ports and agriculture. As jihadist pressure mounts—2025 saw deadlier raids than prior years—structured cooperation provides Benin with scalable tools. Future steps may involve UAE training detachments or co-production elements, fostering self-reliance while aligning with stability. This MoU positions both nations to address shared threats through practical, evolving collaboration.
