Egypt’s Kader’s Factory has identified Burkina Faso as an operator of the Egyptian-made FAHD Armored Personnel Carrier (APC), and that a purchase contract has likely been signed recently.
In a significant development, France also recently acquired FAHD armored vehicles from Egypt, signaling its commitment to strengthening its security forces.
The FAHD is a versatile armored vehicle known for its superior mobility and protection. Its acquisition will undoubtedly enhance Burkina Faso’s defense capabilities in countering terrorist threats and maintaining stability within its borders.
The move also demonstrates France’s commitment to supporting its partners in the Sahel region and its determination to counter violent extremism. It is believed that sixteen (16) of the armored vehicles acquired by France will likely be passed on to African allies battling insurgency, or handed over to warring Ukraine.
The improved mobility and protection offered by the FAHD armored vehicles will undoubtedly bolster the effectiveness of Burkina Faso’s security forces in combating terrorism.
This acquisition will significantly enhance Burkina Faso’s ability to respond to security challenges and protect its citizens.
Secondly, the acquisition underscores the importance of regional cooperation in tackling the complex security situation in the Sahel. France’s partnership with Egypt highlights the willingness of nations to collaborate and share resources to address common security threats. This cooperation sets a positive precedent for future collaborations between countries in the region.
According to the Chairman of Egypt’s AOI Kader Factory, the company is setting up a poduction line for composite ceramic add-on armor.
Also, Egypt’s AOI Kader Factory are now relying on domestic supply chain, as well as locally manufactured armor steel and bulletproof glass to provide alternative chassis for the production of armored vehicles.
One of the main reasons that prompted Egypt turning to local suppliers, depending on domestic supply chains for production of armored vehicles was the political stances of EU countries in 2013/14, including Germany, which banned the export of armor steel and chassis of FAHD APCs.
For FAHD, Kader Factory has a production capacity ranging between 240 to 300 armored vehicles annually.
Production line for Temsah armored vehicles have been launched at the plant.
Egypt’s defence industry has a long history over the past six decades which makes it the oldest and largest among the Arab states. It grew largely in the 1950s—60s and reached its highest point in the 1980s after extensive collaboration with the West.
Although later on, it suffered from over-dependence on Western companies for procurement and co-production, especially the U.S., and has limited R&D. This resulted in most of its military factories being used for manufacturing consumer goods for the civilian market for profit.
The turning point for Egypt’s defence industry was in 2013 when a crisis with the United States resulted in funds being withheld forcing Egypt to make serious attempts to diversify its sources of procurement and increase recent co-production initiatives.
Egypt hopes to sell it’s indigenously developed military hardware to countries across the globe, but it’s primary targets are African nations battling various types of security threats.
At the time, Yahya al-Kadwani, member of the Defense and National Security Commission in the Egyptian parliament, said, “The African market is ready to benefit from Egyptian weapons, as Cairo is interested in being present in Africa politically and through military cooperation. African states need Egyptian weapons because of their good quality and low price and because they suit the nature of African people and Africa’s geography.”
On Dec. 19, 2019, the Egyptian army released a video of a number of weapons manufactured in the factories affiliated with the Ministry of Defense and Military Production, such as Temsah familiy of armoured vehicles, Fahd-300 APCs, ST-100/ST-500 armoured personnel carriers, and the modified Egyptian 13 mm gun M-46.