The Beninese Armed Forces have expanded their capabilities with the addition of fresh armoured vehicles, marking a step forward in their efforts to modernise amid rising security challenges.
Among the latest entries to their fleet are Cayman armoured personnel carriers from Belarus and MCAV-20 vehicles produced by Calidus in the United Arab Emirates. These assets made their debut appearance before the public during the nation’s independence day celebrations on 1 August this year, where nine Caymans and four MCAV-20s rolled through the parade. Observers noted the Caymans fitted with 12.7 mm machine guns of Russian origin, and estimates suggest the Belarusian vehicles arrived in Benin earlier in 2025, while the UAE-sourced MCAV-20s likely reached the country in 2024.
The Cayman, first revealed in 2015, stands as a compact yet robust platform weighing approximately 7,000 kilograms. It accommodates up to six personnel, including the driver and commander, within a steel monocoque structure that meets STANAG 4569 Level 3 standards for ballistic defence. Its V-shaped underbelly enhances resistance to mines and improvised explosive devices, a crucial feature for operations in contested terrains. Propulsion comes from a D-245.30E2 diesel engine generating 170 horsepower, enabling top speeds of 110 kilometres per hour on paved roads and a modest 8 kilometres per hour when traversing water. With a cruising range extending to 1,000 kilometres, the vehicle offers substantial endurance for extended patrols or deployments.
Manufacturers at Belarus’s 140th Repair Plant have equipped it for versatility, allowing the integration of various armaments such as the Adunok remote-controlled weapon station, heavy machine guns, or automatic grenade launchers. Belarus itself integrated the Cayman into its own military starting in May 2017, and neighbouring Cote d’Ivoire adopted the type from 2018, providing a track record of regional use that likely influenced Benin’s choice.
Complementing the Caymans, the MCAV-20 has gained traction across several African states, with operators now including Ethiopia, Mozambique, Sudan, Chad, Mauritania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Introduced in 2021, this vehicle forms part of Calidus’s broader lineup, which encompasses the LRV-20 lightweight four-by-four and the Al Wahash eight-by-eight, the latter benefiting from design input by South Africa’s ADG Mobility. The MCAV-20 draws power from a 330 horsepower engine and incorporates defences against both gunfire and buried explosives. Its innovative hull configuration facilitates the mounting of turrets and weapon systems, adapting to diverse mission requirements. Tipping the scales at between 7 and 9 tonnes, it achieves road speeds up to 110 kilometres per hour, making it a nimble option for rapid response and escort duties in urban or rural settings.
The independence day event also showcased other elements of Benin’s armoured inventory, such as Dongfeng CSK-131 vehicles, VAB-VTT personnel carriers, BRDM-2 scouts, and Puma M36s. The Puma M36s, in particular, carry an interesting backstory: initially earmarked for Niger under a programme backed by the United States, they were rerouted to Cote d’Ivoire, Benin, and Ghana. Constructed by United Manufacturing Technologies, known as OTT-USA, a batch of twelve reached Beninese hands in November 2024, enhancing their mine-resistant ambush-protected capabilities.
This influx of hardware reflects Benin’s strategy to diversify its suppliers, tapping into assistance from global powers including the United States, France, the European Union, and China. In late 2024, Washington delivered a package worth about 3.5 billion CFA francs, equivalent to roughly £4.5 million, comprising the dozen Puma M36 mine-resistant vehicles, 280 ballistic protection plates, and 35 L3Harris Falcon III radios for tactical communications. The handover occurred on 27 November at the Allada military base, aimed squarely at bolstering troop survivability and coordination during engagements. Such contributions address practical needs, allowing soldiers to operate with greater confidence in hostile environments where threats can emerge without warning.
Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute’s arms transfers records further illustrate Benin’s recent procurements. In 2022, China provided six CSK-131 armoured carriers and ten W-86 120 mm mortars under a deal signed the previous October, adding mobile firepower and transport options. France, meanwhile, supplied 30 VAB armoured personnel carriers across 2023 and 2024, drawn from its own reserves to support Benin’s ground mobility.
France, as Benin’s historical colonial authority, has maintained a steady stream of aid. In 2024, its military transferred 15 VAB-type carriers directly to the Beninese high command under General Fructueux Gbaguidi. This built on a 2023 delivery of 26 VABs, supplemented by pickup trucks for the land forces and three Puma helicopters for aerial support. These assets, repurposed from French stockpiles, extend Benin’s reach across land and air, enabling more effective patrols and rapid insertions in areas prone to instability.
The European Union has emerged as another key partner, designating Benin as a recipient under its Peace Facility in 2024. That year saw an allocation of €5 million, or about £4.2 million, to refine the armed forces’ performance, particularly in securing the Gulf of Guinea against piracy and illicit trade. Framed as an assistance initiative through the European Peace Facility, this marked the third round of EU funding for Benin in 2024, after €25 million in May and another €5 million in June, totalling €35 million—representing 27 percent of the nation’s defence spending. These funds target enhancements in maritime operations, where threats like armed robbery at sea and trafficking demand vigilant monitoring and swift interdiction.
This military buildup arrives against a backdrop of escalating dangers from militant Islamist factions. Reports from the Africa Center for Strategic Studies indicate a 129 percent surge in fatalities tied to such groups over the past year, climbing to a peak of 374 deaths. Benin encountered its initial extremist incident in 2019, and incursions by Sahel-based terror networks have intensified annually since then. The new vehicles and equipment play a direct role in countering these pressures, offering protected mobility for troops to engage threats in the northern border regions or along coastal areas. By integrating these assets, Benin aims to not only defend its sovereignty but also contribute to regional stability, where cross-border insurgencies pose risks to multiple nations.