The Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) is in the process of turning one of its infantry regiments into a mechanised unit equipped with South African-made Casspir mine-resistant armoured personnel carriers.
Malian soldiers seen training with a Casspir in a photograph released by the German Federal Ministry of Defence in May. (Bundesministerium der Verteidigung)
The German Federal Ministry of Defence in May announced the delivery of 29 Casspirs, adding that a South African company had provided training to the drivers and mechanics. A spokesperson for the European Union Training Mission in Mali (EUTM-Mali) told Jane’s that another 10 Casspirs have been delivered to the FAMa and more are on their way.
The FAMa announced on 16 July that the vehicles had been delivered to its 61st Infantry Regiment, a battalion-sized unit based in Sévaré in central Mali. FAMa Chief of Staff Abdoulaye Coulibaly said 12 Casspirs had been in action for a month in the Douentza area.
The EUTM-Mali spokesperson said 123 FAMa soldiers have been trained in mechanised infantry operations with the Casspir so far, with the most recent five-week course being completed in mid-July. Most of the soldiers were given basic training, but some received instructor-level training to enable the regiment to sustain its mechanised infantry capability.
EUTM-Mali expects to conduct further training courses and the additional vehicles will be delivered along with spare parts and support equipment over the coming months, the spokesperson said. Training courses focused on maintaining and sustaining the Casspir fleet will also be conducted.
Germany has also donated 4,100 ballistic vests, 2,700 ballistic helmets, and 4,300 pairs of combat boots.
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