The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has taken receipt of 14 Puma M36 Mk3 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) from the United States. The handover ceremony, held on May 8, 2025, at the 153 Armoured Regiment Square in Burma Camp, Accra, marks a pivotal moment in the longstanding security cooperation between Ghana and the United States.
Valued at over $6 million, these vehicles are designed to bolster troop protection, mobility, and effectiveness in counter-terrorism and internal security operations.
The ceremony was attended by key figures from both nations, including the U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Her Excellency Virginia Palmer, who described the handover as a milestone in U.S.-Ghana security cooperation. She emphasized the APCs’ role in strengthening Ghana’s border security and contributing to broader regional stability.
On the Ghanaian side, the Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, expressed profound gratitude for the donation, calling it a testament to the enduring partnership between the two countries. Speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, the Commander-in-Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces, Dr. Omane Boamah highlighted the strategic importance of this gesture in boosting the operational readiness of the GAF.
The Puma M36 Mk3 APC is a formidable addition to the GAF’s fleet. This four-wheel-drive, mine-resistant, and ambush-protected vehicle is capable of carrying up to 12 personnel, making it ideal for both military and humanitarian missions in high-threat environments.
Its V-shaped hull provides robust protection against mines and improvised explosive devices, ensuring the safety of troops in volatile regions. The vehicle’s design prioritizes both durability and adaptability, allowing it to navigate challenging terrains while maintaining a high level of operational effectiveness.
In preparation for the handover, a group of 40 personnel from the Ghana Army’s 15 Armoured Brigade and the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Corps completed a rigorous four-week orientation training program focused on the operation and maintenance of the Puma M36.
The training, which concluded on May 2, 2025, was held at the headquarters of the 153 Armoured Regiment and facilitated by AMENTUM, a Virginia-based defense contractor. Coordinated through the Office of Security Cooperation at the U.S. Embassy in Ghana, the program equipped participants with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
The curriculum covered a wide range of topics, including vehicle identification, interior and exterior component familiarization, operational instructions, safety procedures, turret and gun port handling, and field driving across various terrains such as sand, mud, and rocky inclines. Additionally, participants received hands-on lessons on servicing and maintaining the vehicles, ensuring they are fully prepared to integrate the Puma M36 into GAF operations.
The journey of these APCs to Ghana is noteworthy. Originally, 38 Puma M36 vehicles were destined for Niger as part of U.S. military assistance. However, following Niger’s decision to end military cooperation with the United States and the subsequent withdrawal of American forces, these vehicles were redirected to Benin, Ghana, and Cote d’Ivoire.
On November 27, 2024, the United States transferred a dozen Pumas to Benin’s military, followed by another dozen to Cote d’Ivoire on April 10, 2025. Ghana’s receipt of 14 vehicles completes this redistribution.
The Puma M36 Mk3 vehicles were manufactured by United Manufacturing Technologies (OTT-USA), a company established in 2016 with a proven track record of supplying armored vehicles to the U.S. government for use by partner nations in hostile environments.
As the vehicles are donated by the United States, they are required to have majority U.S. content, ensuring compliance with donation regulations. OTT-USA’s flagship vehicle, the Puma M36, has been certified for its ballistic and blast ratings by the U.S. Army’s Test & Evaluation Command, attesting to its reliability and effectiveness.
The company benefits from reach-back support from its sister facilities in Pretoria, South Africa, enabling it to offer a full spectrum of services, including engineering, design, prototyping, testing, manufacturing, servicing, and refurbishment of armored mobility solutions.
OTT-USA has a strong presence in Africa, having delivered over 600 Puma vehicles to more than a dozen customers across the continent. Notably, over 200 vehicles were used by the African Union Mission in Somalia between 2012 and 2022, while more than 250 were deployed in United Nations missions in Mali between 2014 and 2022.
Since 2019, OTT’s partner facility in the United States has built over 70 armored vehicles, including the 38 Pumas ordered by the U.S. government in 2023 for distribution to West African nations. The widespread adoption of the Puma M36 across Africa—by countries such as of Ivory Coast, Benin, Somalia, Guinea, Senegal, and Burkina Faso—speaks to its versatility and proven performance in diverse operational contexts.
The Puma M36 family of vehicles is available with various drive trains, suspensions, and options, ranging from Ashok Leyland to Cummins and other transmission configurations, allowing for customization based on specific mission requirements.
This flexibility, combined with its robust protective features, makes it a valuable asset for militaries operating in regions prone to asymmetric threats, such as improvised explosive devices and ambushes.
For Ghana, the acquisition of these APCs represents a timely enhancement to its military capabilities, particularly in the context of regional security challenges. West Africa has faced increasing threats from extremist groups and cross-border criminal activities, making it essential for nations like Ghana to maintain a high level of preparedness.
The Puma M36’s ability to protect troops while providing mobility in difficult terrains will be crucial for the GAF as it continues to play a leading role in peacekeeping missions and internal security operations.
