# Equatorial Guinea operating Russian-made GAZ Tigr tactical vehicle

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2024/11/equatorial-guinea-operating-russian-made-gaz-tigr-tactical-vehicle/
- Published: 2024-11-10T10:06:51+01:00
- Author: Ekene Lionel

During a military parade in Djibloho on October 12, a GAZ Tigr was spotted when 
the wife of Equatorial Guinea’s president arrived. This sighting of the Russian 
tactical vehicle during the parade marking the 56th anniversary of the country’s
independence supports earlier reports that Russian troops have deployed to the West
African country.

The Tigr (Russian: Тигр, lit. ’Tiger’) is a Russian 4×4 multipurpose all-terrain
infantry mobility vehicle manufactured by Military Industrial Company, first delivered
to the Russian Army in 2006.

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![Equatorial Guinea operating Russian-made GAZ Tigr tactical vehicle](https://www.
military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/bsp_80264-jdw-28325.png)

A GAZ Tigr (background left) was seen when the wife of Equatorial Guinea’s president
arrived for the military parade in Djibloho on 12 October. (Partido Democrático 
de Guinea Ecuatorial)

The [GAZ Tigr 4×4 light armoured vehicle,](https://www.military.africa/2020/09/army-2020-expo-russia-showcases-wide-range-of-tactical-vehicles/)
seen in the background of television coverage, featured a camouflage scheme used
by the Russian military but not previously observed in Equatorial Guinea. Equipped
with smoke grenade launchers, it is identified as the SpN variant, typically used
by Russian special forces. The soldier in the roof hatch wore a uniform and helmet
differing from those used by local soldiers, further indicating Russian involvement.

In the parade, four old BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles were the only Russian-made
vehicles present, amid various modern Chinese armoured vehicles used by the [recently established Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR).](https://www.military.africa/2024/10/equatorial-guinea-announces-formation-of-rapid-intervention-brigade/)

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The Spain-based opposition newspaper Diario Rombe published photographs on August
23, showing white soldiers identified as Russian mercenaries recently arrived in
Malabo to protect the president and his family, with another contingent expected
in the continental part of the country. Further photographs on September 14 showed
nine European soldiers, including at least one with a Russian flag patch, posing
with African counterparts in Bata, the main city in continental Equatorial Guinea.

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Equatorial Guinea is a known user of Russian weapons, having [ordered](https://www.military.africa/2018/03/confirmed-equatorial-guinea-buys-pantsir-s1-air-defense-system-from-russia/)
two units of Pantsir-S1 (SA-22 Greyhound) air defense systems in 2018.

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