Malian Army Receives Chinese VN2C Armored Vehicles

The Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) reportedly received several Chinese-made Norinco VN2C 6×6 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) recently.

The new armoured and unprotected vehicles were handed over by the military in a ceremony held at the Kati military camp on 3 December, Janes reported.

The VN2C is an improved variant of the VN2, itself a derivative of Norinco’s WZ551 armoured personnel carrier (APC) with increased protection against improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The vehicle has a gross vehicle weight of 19 tonnes, a 402 hp diesel engine, and armour that provides STANAG 4569 Level 3a/3b protection.

The FAMa also reportedly took delivery of six OTT M36 mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles, six BRDM-2 armoured reconnaissance vehicles and two BTR-70 APCs.