Somalia receives military equipment from AU to boost fight against Al-Shabaab
The Government of Somalia has received a large consignment of military-grade equipment from the African Union, as it continues to strengthen critical defense infrastructure and intensify operations against the Al-Shabaab militants.
The consignment comprised tiger armoured vehicles, fuel, water tankers, helmets, vests and other resources.
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Somalia's Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, Abdullahi Mohamed Warfa, received the consignment, which was delivered by an African Union Continental Logistics Base (CLB) team from Douala, Cameroon.
"The Federal Republic of Somalia extends its heartfelt appreciation to the African Union for its continued and invaluable support, which strengthens regional security, supports institutional development, and advances counterterrorism efforts, reaffirming the shared dedication to fostering long-term stability, resilience, and progress across the continent," Somalia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Somalia said.
According to defenceWeb, an online African defence and security news publication, Somalia received a total of six Tiger vehicles as part of the AU donation.
Somalia has previously acquired Tiger armoured vehicles, receiving a batch of 12 in September 2017 to support operations against Al-Shabaab. Those initial units appeared to be used, as they were painted in the colours of the China's People's Liberation Army. In contrast, the newer Tigers delivered in March arrived painted white with AU (AU) markings.
The Tiger is a 6.5-tonne armoured personnel carrier produced by China's Shaanxi Baoji Special Vehicles Company, which was launched on the international market in 2012. It can carry up to 11 people. The vehicle itself weighs 4,500 kilograms and can carry an extra 1,100 kilograms of equipment or supplies.
It also features an overhead weapon station that can be fitted with a machine gun or grenade launcher. The vehicle can also reach speeds up to 115 km/h and travel 600 km on a full tank.
Somalia has received a large number of donated vehicles over the years, including RG31s and Reva IIIs from the United Arab Emirates, Kirpi APCs from Turkey, Storm APCs from Qatar, and MAV 5 light armoured vehicles from Italy.
Other equipment donations include Acmat Bastions and AT105 Saxon armoured personnel carriers. Six South African Puma M26 APCs were also delivered in 2021 to help the country combat Al-Shabaab.
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