Ivorian military parades new equipment

Two of the CS/SM1 self-propelled mortars that were paraded by Cote d'Ivoire's special forces on 7 August. (Forces Armées de Côte d'Ivoire)

The Armed Forces of Côte d'Ivoire (FACI) displayed its latest acquisitions, including the new Chinese-made fire support vehicles, mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles, and self-propelled mortars, during the military parade held to mark the country's 64th anniversary of independence on 7 August

The detachment from the 1st Armoured Brigade included nine Norinco VN22 fire support vehicles with 105 mm guns and nine WZ551 armoured personnel carriers, eight of which were fitted with turrets armed with 30 mm guns. The FACI first released photographs of its WZ551s in February 2023 and its VN22Bs in April 2024, but there was no indication how many it had received as the 2023 parade was cancelled.

It was reported in May 2023 that Norinco has established a new vehicle maintenance centre at Akouédo New Camp in Abidjan, the base of the 1st Armoured Brigade.

At least 18 Norinco VP11 MRAP vehicles were displayed by the army contingent in this year's parade, with the commentator describing them as one of the FACI's most recent acquisitions and saying they are operated by the Lightening Combined Arms Tactical Group, which is seemingly a new formation.

At least six VP11s were filmed driving towards the Akouédo new and old camps in early August 2023, probably as they returned to their base after the cancellation of that year's parade.