Djiboutian Army Unveiled for the First Time WMA301 105mm Wheeled Tank Destroyer During Parade 33006153

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Defence & Security News - Djibouti
 
Djiboutian Army Unveiled for the First Time WMA301 105mm Wheeled Tank Destroyer During Parade
During a military parade held on June 27 to celebrate the 38th anniversary of its independence, the Djiboutian Armed forces unveiled for the first time a chinese-made Norinco WMA301 105mm wheeled tank destroying vehicle.
     
Djiboutian Army Unveiled for the First Time WMA301 105mm Wheeled Tank Destroyer During Parade Djibouti received at least one Chinese WMA301 105mm tank destroyer (©Djibouti Armed Forces)
     

The WMA301 105mm tank destroyer is based on the WMZ551 6x6 wheeled chassis with high mobility, reliability, cost-effectiveness and maintainability. It is fitted with a low-recoil 105mm tank gun, capable of firing various 105mm tank ammunitions. It is also capable of firing 105mm fun-launched laser-beam riding missile, thus extends its engagement range to 5km against main battle tanks. The WMA301 105mm 6x6 wheeled tank destroyer vehicle features versatile combat functions, high mobility and advanced comprehensive capabilities.

For the past decades, Djiboutian army only had old AML-60 and AML-90 as fire support vehicles. In the last few years, Djibouti received Italian M-109L 155mm self-propelled gun and Puma 4x4 armoured protected vehicles, Russian BTR-80 APC, 9 South African Casspir APC (and probably Ratel-90 fighting vehicles) and more than 20 U.S. MRAP (Cougar and RG-33).
     
Djiboutian Army Unveiled for the First Time WMA301 105mm Wheeled Tank Destroyer During Parade M109L 155mm self-propelled gun during military parade in Djibouti (©Djibouti Armed Forces)
     

The WMA301 Assault Tank’s unveiling comes nearly two months after Djiboutian President Ismail Guelleh said his country was in talks with China over the installment of a military base in the small, but strategically important, African country.

Due to its strategic position between Somalia and Yemen, the US already has its regional military based in Djibouti, from where it carries out covert and anti-terror operations across Africa. France and Japan also have military bases located there.