# UAE-Benin MoU Formalizes Emerging Defence Ties

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2025/12/uae-benin-mou-formalizes-emerging-defence-ties/
- Published: 2025-12-15T13:52:02+01:00
- Author: Military Africa

The United Arab Emirates and Benin signed a Memorandum of Understanding on defence
cooperation in Abu Dhabi on October 15, 2025, establishing the first formal framework
for military collaboration between the two nations. Benin’s Minister of Defence 
and the UAE’s Minister of State for Defence Affairs inked the deal, focusing on 
coordination, training programs, and expertise exchange. This agreement builds on
accelerating bilateral momentum that began in March 2023 when UAE Minister of State
Shaikh Shakhboot bin Nahayan Al Nahyan visited Cotonou and met President Patrice
Talon. Discussions there emphasized shifting from traditional aid to structured,
mutual strategic partnerships in security and defence.

Momentum continued in January 2025 as UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed
Al Nahyan hosted Benin’s Foreign Minister Shegun Adjadi Bakari in Abu Dhabi. The
ministers reaffirmed commitments to deeper ties and addressed regional security,
placing defence on the recurring bilateral agenda. In August 2025, UAE President
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan sent congratulations to President Talon on Benin’s
national day, sustaining high-level communication. Verified unchanged as of December
15, 2025, the MoU opens paths for joint activities, capacity building, and sharing
of operational practices.

Abu Dhabi regards Benin as a stable West African anchor amid Sahel instability, 
while Cotonou values Emirati technical support and training. Benin’s forces face
escalating jihadist incursions from Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin and Islamic
State affiliates spilling from Burkina Faso and Niger. Attacks intensified in 2025,
with notable losses in northern departments like Alibori and Atacora under Operation
Mirador, Benin’s dedicated counter-insurgency effort launched in 2023. The operation
fields specialised units in Pendjari and W National Parks, where porous borders 
enable militant transit and improvised explosive device ambushes.

Tangible cooperation emerged with Benin’s [acquisition ](https://www.military.africa/2025/08/benin-army-operating-new-armoured-vehicles/)
of Calidus MCAV-20 4×4 light armoured vehicles from the UAE. Four MCAV-20s debuted
publicly during Benin’s 65th independence day parade on August 1, 2025, in Cotonou,
alongside nine Belarusian Cayman vehicles. Deliveries occurred in 2024, supporting
modernisation against Sahel threats. The MCAV-20, launched by Abu Dhabi-based Calidus
in February 2021, weighs 7 to 9 tons and reaches 110 kilometres per hour with a 
Cummins 6.7-litre diesel engine producing around 330 horsepower. Its independent
suspension and 800-kilometre range suit extended patrols in arid northern Benin,
though fuel demands strain logistics in remote bases.

Protection varies by variant: the MCAV001 offers STANAG 4569 Level 2 ballistic and
mine resistance, upgradable to Level 3 with appliqué armour; the MCAV005 provides
Level 3 baseline with enhanced crew space for six dismounts. A smart hull accommodates
remote weapon stations or turrets up to 30 millimetres, balancing firepower with
mobility, but added modules reduce range by 10-15 per cent in high-heat operations
common to the region. Benin pairs these with lighter assets for rapid response, 
trading heavy armour for speed against agile insurgents.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

This procurement aligns with Benin’s broader upgrades, including European Union-
donated surveillance aircraft and U.S. airfield refurbishments in Parakou for medical
evacuations. Recruitment drives expanded forces by thousands since 2023, forming
elite units like the First Commando Parachute Battalion. Yet challenges persist:
outdated small arms in line units contrast with elite gear, and coordination gaps
with neighbours complicate cross-border pursuits.

UAE’s African engagement prioritises countering Islamist groups while securing economic
footholds. Edge Group delegations, including Calidus representatives, joined 2024
business visits to Benin, exploring infrastructure and energy. The MoU extends this
to defence, potentially including joint exercises or advisor deployments. Emirati
platforms like the MCAV-20, exported to Chad, Ethiopia, Mauritania, Mozambique, 
Sudan, and Uganda, prove reliable in similar theatres, offering modular upgrades
without complex supply chains.

ADVERTISEMENT

For Benin, Emirati ties diversify from French and U.S. support, reducing dependency
amid Sahel spillovers. Northern attacks displaced communities and disrupted trade,
with JNIM exploiting governance voids. MCAV-20s enhance convoy security and quick
reaction, though operators must manage dust ingress affecting optics and engines
in park terrains.

The partnership signals the UAE’s growing West African footprint, complementing 
Gulf investments in ports and agriculture. As jihadist pressure mounts—2025 saw 
deadlier raids than prior years—structured cooperation provides Benin with scalable
tools. Future steps may involve UAE training detachments or co-production elements,
fostering self-reliance while aligning with stability. This MoU positions both nations
to address shared threats through practical, evolving collaboration.

### _Related_