# Senegal strengthens armored inventory with Chinese and Turkish vehicles

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2023/11/senegal-strengthens-armored-inventory-with-chinese-and-turkish-vehicles/
- Published: 2023-11-16T10:38:45+01:00
- Author: Ekene Lionel

The Senegalese gendarmerie recently unveiled the acquisition of advanced armored
vehicles, showcasing a diversified fleet that includes Turkish-made Otokar Cobra
II and Nurol Ejder Yalçın, along with Chinese VN22 6×6 wheeled armored Infantry 
Fighting Vehicles (IFVs).

The ceremonial presentation took place during the inauguration of the High Command
of the National Gendarmerie headquarters at the Samba Diéry Diallo barracks in Dakar.
The event not only introduced the newly acquired Chinese Norinco VN22 IFVs but also
highlighted various other armored vehicles already part of the Senegalese army’s
inventory.

Among the showcased vehicles were the [CS/VN3C, another IFV](https://www.military.africa/2023/04/senegal-acquires-norinco-cs-vn-3c-4x4-infantry-fighting-vehicle/)
from the Chinese company Norinco, and the Cobra II armored personnel carriers (APCs)
manufactured by the Turkish company Otokar. Additionally, the display featured the
Nurol Makina’s Ejder Yalçın 4x4s, a French Arquus Bastion 4×4 APC, and various other
armored vehicles, including those acquired from Poland, South Africa, Israel, and
China in recent years.

![](https://www.military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231116_103632-1024x563.
jpg)

![](https://www.military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231116_103624-1024x592.
jpg)

![](https://www.military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/20231116_103613-1024x683.
jpg)

The star of the show, the Chinese Norinco VN22, unveiled at the Zhuhai Air Show 
in 2021, boasts a formidable 6×6 design with substantial ballistic protection. Capable
of withstanding 25mm caliber ammunition at the front and small arms fire up to 14.5mm
caliber across the entire hull, the VN22 exemplifies Senegal’s commitment to enhancing
its military capabilities.

Earlier this year, China’s [Norinco strategically established a regional presence](https://www.military.africa/2023/08/chinese-norinco-establishes-regional-presence-in-senegal/)
in Senegal, signaling not only an expansion of operations in the country but also
a broader push into West Africa. This move aligns with China’s increasing military
influence in the region, with Norinco already serving as a major supplier of weaponry
to nations like Algeria, Nigeria, and Angola.

ADVERTISEMENT

Facilitating this acquisition was businessman Thierno Ba, a close associate of Senegalese
President Macky Sall, overseeing the procurement of at least a dozen vehicles from
Norinco.

Moving on, The Turkish arms industry is continuing to make headways in many markets,
and it’s not just about drones. In March 2018, Senegal ordered two different armoured
vehicles from Turkey for its gendarmerie. Private Turkish company Nurol Makina was
awarded the contract for Ejder Yalcin and Ejder Toma vehicles, which are set to 
be delivered in batches in March and April/May 2018. Senegalese personnel were trained
on the vehicles. It is not clear how many vehicles have been ordered by Senegal.

The Ejder Yalcin, a versatile 4×4 vehicle equipped with various configurations such
as explosives disposal, air defense, command and control, internal security, ambulance,
and combat reconnaissance, demonstrates the flexibility and adaptability of Turkish
armored technology. Senegal’s decision to integrate these vehicles into its fleet
reflects the nation’s commitment to modernizing its defense forces.

ADVERTISEMENT

The equipment acquisition is part of President Macky Sall’s Emerging Senegal Plan
that aims to enhance the country’s armed forces. Senegal’s growing fleet of Turkish
and Chinese armored vehicles continues to participate in the yearly independence
day parade.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute’s Arms Transfers
database, Senegal has in the last five years received a number of different armoured
vehicle types, including two Oncilla (Dozor-B) armoured cars from Poland, [55 Puma M26 armoured vehicles from South Africa,](https://www.military.africa/2022/07/senegal-receives-puma-m36-apcs-and-other-equipment/)
55 RAM armoured vehicles from Israel and 12 WMA-301 Assaulter armoured fighting 
vehicles from China, and [French-made Bastion APCs.](https://www.military.africa/2019/04/senegalese-army-parades-bastion-armoured-personnel-carriers-during-parade/)

ADVERTISEMENT

The country faces multiple security threats including Islamist terror groups in 
the Sahel, and [separatists in its Casamance region,](https://www.military.africa/2022/03/senegal-military-launches-operation-against-casamance-secessionists/)
the location of one of Africa’s longest-running conflicts.

Senegal also awaits the delivery of [LG1 105 mm towed howitzers](https://www.military.africa/2022/04/senegalese-army-orders-nexter-105-mm-lg1-howitzer/)
from France’s Nexter, and [three OPV 58S offshore patrol vessels ](https://www.military.africa/2019/11/senegal-orders-three-opv-58-s-patrol-vessels-from-france/)
from Piriou.

### _Related_