The Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) received a batch of seven Streit Typhoon mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles that were delivered by an An-124-100 transport aircraft on 16 January.
Four Streit Typhoon MRAPs are seen at Bamako’s international airport after they were delivered from the UAE (Primature du Mali)
A Malian government statement said the vehicles are the first of 130 that are being procured from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), of which 30 are expected to be donated by Abu Dhabi.
This is the largest order that Mali has placed for armoured vehicles placed to date. The FAMa is already a user of Streit vehicles having received Pythons and Gladiators in 2018.
The Typhoon is a 4×4 vehicle with STANAG Level 2 armour as standard, although the manufacturer claims this can be increased to Level 4 if required. It is able to accommodate up to 10 soldiers, including a driver and front passenger.
Other sub-Saharan African users of the type include Ghana, Nigeria, and South Sudan.
On the following day, the European Union (EU) ambassador in Mali handed over 13 Arquus Bastion 4×4 armoured vehicles, including at least one configured as an ambulance, to the FAMa during a ceremony conducted at the Kati military camp.
The Bastions were procured with EU funds for equipping G5 Sahel Joint Force units and are part of a total of 46 such vehicles provided so far, which are being delivered to other member countries, notably Burkina Faso and Mauritania.
The Bastions received by Mali are the TACOM variant that was first developed for a US government contract for 62 vehicles delivered to Cameroon, Kenya, Tunisia, and Uganda. This has enhanced all-round protection, including improved underbelly armour for increased resistance to mines and improvised explosive devices.
Looking to read the full article?
Gain unlimited access to Janes news and more...
