Chad continues to bolster its ground forces through a deliberate program of acquisitions and upgrades, focusing on armoured vehicles to address persistent security challenges in the Sahel region. As of mid-2025, the nation’s army has integrated a mix of new platforms from diverse international partners, reflecting a pragmatic approach to procurement amid fluctuating geopolitical alliances.
This effort aims to replace losses from conflicts with insurgents like Boko Haram and Islamic State groups along borders with Nigeria and Libya, while enhancing mobility and firepower in desert terrains. President Mahamat Idriss Déby’s administration has prioritised these enhancements to secure internal stability and contribute to regional operations, such as the G5 Sahel Joint Force involving Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger.
The Chadian military’s evolution draws from a legacy of resourceful warfare, exemplified during the Toyota Wars of the 1980s against Libyan forces, where lightly armed technicals mounted on pickup trucks outmanoeuvred heavier opponents through speed and terrain knowledge. That era highlighted Chad’s ability to achieve outsized results with modest means; today, the focus shifts toward professionalising the force with protected vehicles capable of sustaining operations in harsh environments. Attrition from recent clashes, including against the Front for Change and Concord in Chad (FACT) rebels, has depleted older Soviet-era stocks, prompting a search for reliable replacements. Initially, Déby’s regime sought Western suppliers to legitimise its rule and diversify away from Russian and Chinese dominance, but limited deliveries led back to established networks, supplemented by emerging ties with Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.
Chad’s armoured inventory showcases global sourcing, blending legacy systems with fresh arrivals. From Ukraine, the army operates 42 BMP-1U infantry fighting vehicles, an upgraded version of the Soviet BMP-1 featuring the Shkval combat module with a 30mm cannon, anti-tank missiles, and improved optics for engaging targets at ranges up to 5 kilometres. These vehicles, delivered prior to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, provide mechanised infantry support with enhanced fire control and protection against small arms. Complementing them are 12 BTR-3E wheeled armoured personnel carriers, also Ukrainian, equipped with the Shturm module, including a 30mm gun and Konkurs missiles, offering amphibious capabilities for riverine patrols near Lake Chad.
Russian influence persists through recent additions like the VPK-Ural, or Spartak, armoured vehicles spotted in parades marking Independence Day in August 2024. This 4×4 platform, built on a KamAZ chassis, carries up to 12 troops with mine-resistant V-shaped hulls and modular armour rated to withstand 7.62mm rounds. Footage from the event revealed several units, absent from prior inventories, indicating a fresh batch to replace worn-out GAZ Tigrs. This delivery aligns with Chad’s warming ties to Moscow, evident in the prominence of Russian gear during public displays.
Chinese contributions form a cornerstone of the modernisation, with 30 Type 59G main battle tanks acquired in 2024 to augment ageing T-55s. The Type 59G, an extensively refurbished variant of the original Type 59, incorporates a 105mm rifled gun, reactive armour, thermal sights, and a 730-horsepower engine for speeds up to 50 kilometres per hour on roads. These tanks, weighing around 36 tons, offer improved survivability against anti-tank threats common in insurgent ambushes. Chad has also fielded dozens of WMA-301 tank destroyers from China, mounted on 6×6 chassis with 105mm guns capable of firing guided missiles to 5 kilometres, providing mobile fire support with a top speed of 85 kilometres per hour. Artillery upgrades include PHL-81 multiple rocket launchers, 122mm systems with 40 tubes launching salvos to 20 kilometres, enhancing area denial against militant gatherings.
Turkish partnerships have accelerated since 2022, yielding vehicles such as the Nurol Makina NMS vehicle, also known as the (Yörük) armoured personnel carrier and the Nurol Makina Ejder Yalçın. The Yörük, a lightweight 4×4 vehicle with STANAG Level 3 protection, transports eight soldiers and mounts remote weapon stations for 12.7mm machine guns or anti-tank launchers, making it ideal for rapid response in urban or border zones. The Ejder Yalçin, acquired in 2022, features a V-hull for blast resistance, accommodates 11 personnel, and reaches 110 kilometres per hour, with options for turret-mounted cannons. These acquisitions fit Turkey’s broader Sahel strategy, which includes drone sales like the Anka-S in 2023 and Aksungur in 2024, fostering defence ties amid reduced Western engagement post-coups in neighbouring states.
The United Arab Emirates has emerged as a key enabler, supplying Streit Group vehicles such as the Gladiator and Spartan, both 4×4 mine-resistant ambush-protected designs with capacity for 10 troops and armour defeating 14.5mm projectiles. In August 2023, Abu Dhabi delivered military vehicles and equipment under a cooperation agreement to counter terrorism and secure borders. More recently, the UAE facilitated the transfer of two Chinese FK-2000 air defence systems in early 2025, though primarily for aerial threats, these mobile units on 8×8 chassis integrate with ground forces for layered protection. Additional Emirati platforms include the NIMR Calidus MCAV-20, a 4×4 with modular armour and remote turrets, and the Terrier, enhancing patrol capabilities.
African collaborations add depth, with Nigeria supplying 20 Ara II mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles in 2019, expandable to 100 units, featuring V-hulls and space for 10 soldiers, built by Proforce Defence for operations in mine-prone areas. Nigeria also provided Epenal patrol boats for lake operations. From the United States, Chad has incorporated David light armored vehicles, 4x4s with enhanced mobility for reconnaissance. France, a former colonial power, contributed nine ERC-90 Sagaie light tanks in 2021, armed with 90mm guns and coaxial machine guns, used in peacekeeping missions. Israel supplies RAM Mk3 off-road vehicles, while legacy French Panhard AMLs persist for scouting.
This eclectic mix underscores Chad’s strategy to mitigate supply risks through diversification, though integration poses logistical hurdles like varying spare parts and training needs. Infantry weapons have modernized too, with Israeli IWI Galil ACE and Tavor rifles alongside French FAMAS and Chinese Type 56s, improving small-unit effectiveness. European Union funding supports training, viewing Chad as a stabilizing force in the Sahel.
Looking ahead, sustained investment could transform Chad’s capabilities, moving beyond ad hoc tactics to a more conventional force structure. By 2030, analysts anticipate a fleet dominated by these new acquisitions, better equipped to deter insurgencies and project power regionally. However, political stability and economic constraints, including reliance on oil revenues, will determine the pace; without them, the gains risk erosion in prolonged conflicts.