Turkey would have delivered Kirpi armored vehicles to GNA Libyan forces

May 2019 Global Defense Security army news industry
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According to several international media, Turkey has delivered a number of Turkish-made wheeled armored vehicles Kirpi MRAP to Libyan forces loyal to the internationally recognized government in Libya.

Turkey would have delivered Kirpi armored vehicles to GNA Libyan forces 925 001
Turkish-made Kirpi MRAP armored vehicles at the Port of Tripoli, Lybia. (Picture source Facebook account Volcano of Anger)

On May 18, 2019, Forces loyal to the Government of National Accord published pictures on their official “Volcano of Anger” Facebook showing Turkish-made Kirpi wheeled armored vehicles at the port of Tripoli. They also received weapons and ammunition the group said in the Facebook account. The "Volcano of Anger" is the counter-offensive operation name of the GNA (Government of National Accord) against the LNA (Libyan National Army).

Forces loyal to the GNA (Government of National Accord) appealed to Turkey to obtain military and civilian help after Haftar started the offensive to seize the embattled Libyan capital. The GNA is an interim government for Libya that was formed under the terms of the Libyan Political Agreement, a United Nations-led initiative, signed on 17 December 2015.

In April 2019, the LNA (Libyan National Army) has launched an offensive to control Tripoli. The Libyan National Army is a political faction in Libya and was formerly the country's national military, consisting of a ground force and air force. It was established by the Libyan government after the first Libyan civil war (2011), as Libya's previous national army was defeated by the uprising and 2011 military intervention by NATO.

According to the press agency Reuters, earlier this month, a Tripoli government spokesman said his administration was talking to its ally Turkey to obtain military equipment and civilian help.

The Kirpi is a Turkish-made MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected) type combat vehicle designed and manufactured by the Turkish Company BMC to meet the requirements of the Turkish Land Forces. The Kirpi was unveiled in June 2010 during the International Defense Exhibition Eurosatory that was held in Paris, France.

The Kirpi can carry a total of 13 military personnel including driver, commander, gunner and 10 infantrymen. It features an all-welded steel armored monocoque hull with a V-shaped lower half that provides a high level of protection against mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), small arms fire and shell splinters.

The roof of the Kirpi is equipped with a remotely operated weapon station that can be armed with 12.7mm caliber heavy machine gun.