Throughout 2024, the People’s Republic of China has continued to deepen its cooperation ties with nations on the African continent. In the military sphere, the transfer and sale of military equipment to several countries have stood out. One nation receiving special attention is Burkina Faso, which has acquired multiple batches of 6×6 Armored Combat Vehicles (ACVs) and 4×4 MRAP vehicles throughout the year. Just days ago, the last batch of units provided by the company Norinco was delivered and integrated.
Since Burkina Faso reestablished diplomatic relations with China, the Asian Giant has been strengthening its bilateral relationship through key initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative, focusing on sectors like health and infrastructure. However, significant progress has also been made in military cooperation to enhance ties between the two governments.
Beijing’s approach has been to provide a variety of equipment to the African nation’s armed forces, with a focus on improving and increasing the number of wheeled armored combat vehicles. This includes deliveries received in January and June, featuring 6×6 WZ551 ACVs, WMA301 tank destroyers, and 4×4 Dongfeng CS/SM1 mortar carriers.
A recent announcement from the Burkina Faso presidency detailed a ceremony for the delivery of military equipment to its armed forces, including a new batch of armored vehicles. The images reveal approximately 50 CS/VP14 MRAPs, 25 6×6 VN22 ACVs, and an unspecified number of CS/VN9 6×6 armored personnel carriers (a WZ-551 variant equipped with a 30mm cannon).
With these latest deliveries, Burkina Faso positions itself as one of the leading African nations receiving Chinese-origin military equipment. Other notable recipients include Ghana, which acquired PLH-11 rocket artillery systems, and, more recently, Namibia, which has incorporated Y-9E transport aircraft into its Air Force.
Photographs: Office of the Presidency of Burkina Faso.
