Mali welcomes new vehicles
Some of the new armoured vehicles provided to Mali. (Photo: FAMa)
Has Mali become the first customer for the Chinese-made VN2C 6x6 armoured personnel carrier?
The Malian Armed Forces (Forces Armées Maliennes – FAMa) on 3 December announced it has taken delivery of several dozen new armoured vehicles, as it continues to battle Islamic terrorism in the country.
‘This batch of rolling stock and military equipment is equivalent to the endowment of 16 companies, or four combined arms battle groups,’ FAMa stated on its website. ‘The lot includes tactical combat vehicles, armoured vehicles, logistics trucks, [and] ambulances, among others.’
FAMa did not specify the number and type of vehicles, but Shephard Defence Insight analysis of imagery accompanying its statement suggests that among them are 4x4 tactical armoured vehicles (the Kia KM450 from South Korea, the Dongfeng EQ2050 Mengshi from China and the BRDM-2 from Russia), BTR-70 8x8 amphibious APCs from Russia and Puma M36 mine-protected vehicles.
Also pictured was what appears to be a Chinese 6x6 armoured vehicle (possibly the VN2C, making Mali the first known customer of this mine-protected export variant of the WZ551 amphibious APC).
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![UK’s ground-based air defence effort remains in assessment phase after third industry day]()
UK’s ground-based air defence effort remains in assessment phase after third industry day
The UK’s plan to introduce a new air defence capability into the British Army will cover short and medium-range defence as well as counter-uncrewed aerial system systems. Timelines are not yet laid out but industry is making plans.
-
![K9 Thunder gains momentum across three key international markets]()
K9 Thunder gains momentum across three key international markets
Recent activity across Australia, Norway and the US highlights Hanwha Defense’s expanding presence in a self-propelled artillery market reshaped by the demands of modern warfare.
-
![Dominating the spectrum: ASELSAN’s EW capabilities take center stage at MSPO 2026]()
Dominating the spectrum: ASELSAN’s EW capabilities take center stage at MSPO 2026
ASELSAN is showcasing its advanced electronic warfare (EW) capabilities at MSPO 2026, highlighting technologies designed to detect, analyse, disrupt and deceive threats across increasingly contested electromagnetic environments.
-
![US Army set to receive first ISV-U-mounted Scorpion Light mortar]()
US Army set to receive first ISV-U-mounted Scorpion Light mortar
Global Military Products will begin deliveries next week under a US$12.9 million agreement covering digitally enabled 81mm mortar systems, vehicle integration and army fire-control technology.
-
![US Army reaches out to industry for M109 replacement in a deal worth up to $8 billion]()
US Army reaches out to industry for M109 replacement in a deal worth up to $8 billion
The US has tried several times to replace the M109 Paladin self-propelled howitzer, a requirement which Shephard forecasts could be for as many as 670 platforms and worth as much as US$8 billion.
