In recent days, the Armed Forces of Burkina Faso received a new batch of 4×4 armored vehicles provided by the People’s Republic of China. During the ceremony, which was attended by the highest authorities of the African country, images revealed approximately 50 CS/VP14 military vehicles and 40 VP11 vehicles.
In this regard, Burkina Faso’s Minister of Defense, Brigadier General Kassoum Coulibaly, stated during the delivery ceremony that this batch of armored vehicles supplied by China is just the first of four, representing about 18-20% of the material provided by the Asian Giant.
The delivered 4×4 vehicles have mine-resistant and ambush-protected (MRAP) armor and protection. Both versions delivered are produced by the Chinese company Norinco, with the VP11 particularly in service with the armed forces of Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, and Mali. These are compact all-terrain vehicles designed as light troop transport platforms or can also be used for medical evacuation purposes.
The CS/VP14 is an MRAP 4×4 vehicle capable of carrying a total of 11 personnel. It is certified to STANAG 4569 Level 3b, meaning it can withstand explosions of up to 8 kg of TNT. It can also protect the crew from 7.62 mm armor-piercing ammunition with an additional armor module. Currently, the Kenyan Army is the only force operating the new CS/VP14.
As a prelude to this delivery, on January 15, the Armed Forces of Burkina Faso also received 4×4 Dongfeng CS/SM1 mortar carrier vehicles, 6×6 Norinco WZ551 Wheeled Armored Combat Vehicles in Command Post version, and WMA301 tank destroyers. According to Brigadier General Coulibaly, four other batches are yet to be received.
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