Burkina Faso, a West African country facing security challenges from terrorist groups, has acquired a new batch of mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles from Egypt. The vehicles are the Buffalo E10, an improved version of the Temsah-2, which is Egypt’s flagship locally produced armored vehicle.
The Buffalo E10 is a 6×6 MRAP that can carry up to 12 personnel, including a driver, a commander, and a gunner. It has a V-shaped hull that provides protection from landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), as well as ballistic armor that can withstand 7.62 mm armor-piercing rounds and shell splinters. It is powered by a 240 hp engine and has a maximum speed of 100 km/h. It also features a 360-degree turret, a central tire inflation system, and a fire suppression system.
Burkina Faso is the first foreign operator of the Buffalo E10, which is being promoted by the Egypt-based Eagles International For Defense Systems. The exact number and value of the vehicles acquired by Burkina Faso are not disclosed, but they are expected to significantly enhance the country’s ability to respond to security challenges and protect its citizens.
Burkina Faso is not the only African country that has benefited from Egypt’s defense industry, which has grown rapidly in the past decade with the support of the government and the military. Egypt has also exported its FAHD armored personnel carrier (APC) to Burkina Faso and France.
Egypt’s defence industry relies on domestic supply chains and locally manufactured materials, such as armor steel and bulletproof glass, to produce its armored vehicles. This is partly due to the political stances of some European countries, such as Germany, which banned the export of armor steel and chassis of FAHD APCs to Egypt in 2013/14. Egypt has also developed its own production lines for Temsah armored vehicles, which are available in a wide array of variants, including a 4×4 troop transport and a 6×6 personnel carrier.
Egypt’s defence industry produces a range of products, from small arms to armored vehicles and naval vessels. It has also signed co-production agreements with several countries, including the United States and France. Egypt aims to expand its export market and diversify its defence partners, especially in Africa and the Middle East.
Burkina Faso, meanwhile, has also acquired other types of armored vehicles and drones from China, UAE, and Turkey, to bolster its defense capabilities. The country has been grappling with terrorist attacks and insurgencies, particularly in the northeastern region, where groups affiliated with ISIL and al-Qaeda operate. Burkina Faso has also declared its solidarity with Niger, its neighbor and ally, which is facing a similar threat from terrorist groups, and with Mali, have exited from ECOWAS, a regional bloc.
Burkina Faso army recently received a shipment of Emirati-made Isotrex Phantom mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles, according to images circulating on social media. The vehicles are believed to have been acquired from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a close ally of Burkina Faso.
The Phantom is a 4×4 MRAP that is designed to protect its occupants from mines, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and small arms fire. It is equipped with a V-shaped hull that deflects the blast from mines and IEDs, and it has a crew compartment that is armored to withstand gunfire. The Phantom is also equipped with a variety of other features, such as run-flat tires and a fire suppression system.
Likewise, in January 2023, Turkey delivered the first batch of four Nurol Makina Edjer 6×6 armoured fighting vehicle to the Burkina Faso Army. The Nurol Makina Edjer 6×6 acquisition is part of a larger contract that includes a number of Nurol Ejder Yalçın 4×4 armoured vehicle which has since been delivered.
The acquisition of Egyptian-made MRAP vehicles by Burkina Faso demonstrates the country’s commitment to strengthening its security forces and enhancing its regional cooperation. It also showcases Egypt’s role as a major defence supplier and partner in Africa and beyond.