On April 27, 2025, Togo’s independence day parade in Lomé showcased a new addition to the country’s military arsenal: the Kasser II mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicle. Television coverage of the event captured 12 of these 4×4 armoured combat carriers rolling through the streets, mounted with remote weapons stations and manned by Togolese Armed Forces personnel. A military commentator noted during the broadcast that these vehicles, recently acquired from the United Arab Emirates-based International Golden Group (IGG), would be deployed for counter-terrorism operations.
This debut marked Togo as the third known operator of the Kasser II, reflecting the nation’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its defence capabilities in a region facing evolving security challenges. The Kasser II is built to withstand landmines, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and small arms fire, making it a valuable asset for operations in volatile environments. Its journey began in February 2021, when it was unveiled at the International Defence Exhibition & Conference (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi by M4 Industries, a company that was, at the time, largely unknown in the defence industry.
Early speculation suggested the Kasser II might be derived from the Reva V, an MRAP developed by South Africa’s Integrated Convoy Protection (ICP). However, the vehicle’s design evolved. By August 2022, Emirati media captured images of Kasser IIs during a visit by Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology Sultan bin Ahmed al-Jaber to Tawazun Industrial Park, a defence manufacturing hub west of Abu Dhabi. A shift became evident at IDEX 2023, where IGG displayed a revised version of the Kasser II. This model was a modified version of the Kirpi II, an MRAP produced by the Turkish company BMC. The Kasser II’s operational use gained further visibility in the UAE. In February 2024, a video released by the UAE National Guard showed the vehicles in a riot-control exercise, though details were unclear.
Clarity came on December 2, 2024, when a large military parade in Abu Dhabi featured both the original Kasser II and the Kirpi II variant, confirming their use by the National Guard. For Togo, acquiring this vehicle from IGG represents a move to diversify its military suppliers, tapping into Middle Eastern defence technology rather than relying solely on traditional Western or African partners. This acquisition arrives as Togo weighs a potential shift in its foreign policy. The country is considering membership in the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a bloc formed by Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso after their military regimes expelled French forces and withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey, when asked about AES membership, said the decision rests with the President but added, “It is not impossible.”
He encouraged observers to ask Togolese citizens, hinting that public sentiment might favour joining. This possibility reflects a broader trend in the Sahel, where nations are reevaluating alliances amid frustration with France’s historical influence. Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have accused ECOWAS of serving French interests, a sentiment that gained traction after the 2023 coup in Niger forced France to abandon its uranium mines and military bases. France warned that its exit would weaken counter-terrorism efforts, but the trio of nations has since deepened ties with Russia and China, signalling a realignment in regional dynamics. Togo’s military modernisation extends beyond the Kasser II. In 2022, the Togolese Army took delivery of 20 Mbombe 4 MRAPs from South Africa’s Paramount Group, a deal finalised in 2019 after competition from French company Arquus and South African firm Osprea.
These vehicles were prominently displayed during the April 27, 2022, military parade in Lomé, reinforcing Togo’s armoured capabilities. Earlier, in 2021, Togo ordered 20 Paramount Marauder armoured vehicles for its peacekeeping contingent in Mali under the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). These procurements illustrate a consistent strategy to enhance troop protection and mobility, critical for both domestic security and regional commitments. The parade of Kasser II MRAPs in 2025 is more than a display of hardware—it’s a statement of intent. As Togo navigates its role in a changing Sahel, where counter-terrorism remains a pressing concern and geopolitical alliances are in flux, its military investments signal readiness to adapt.
