Qatar has delivered 24 Storm 4x4 APC armored vehicles to Mali.

The Qatari armed forces have supplied Mali with 24 4x4 Storm light 4x4 APC Armored Personnel Carrier vehicles to fight terrorism and establish security not only in the Republic of Mali but also in the African Sahel countries known as the G5.

The Storm 4x4 APC Armored Personnel Carrier vehicles ready to be transported by aircraft to Mali by the Qatari  Air Force. (Picture source The Peninsula Qatar Newspaper website)

This delivery of combat vehicles to Mali is a new effort from the State of Qatar to contribute to the fight against the international terrorism, not only in the Middle East but also in Africa. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have agreed to provide about $150 million to the G5 Sahel force.

The G5 Sahel or G5S is an institutional framework for coordination of regional cooperation in development policies and security matters in west Africa. It was formed on 16 February 2014 in Nouakchott, Mauritania, at a summit of five Sahel countries: Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger. It adopted a convention of establishment on 19 December 2014, and is permanently seated in Mauritania. The coordination is organized on different levels.

The G5 mandate is to combat terrorism, transnational organized crime and human trafficking in the G5 Sahel area. Its first operation took place in November 2017 with the armies of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.

The Storm is a 4x4 APC (Armored Personnel Carrier) manufactured by the Qatari Company Stark Motors based in Doha. The Company was established in Qatar in 2017 as the first provider for wholesome solutions for all armoring needs of military, security organizations.

The Storm is based on Toyota Land Cruiser 79 Series Pick Up. The armored body of the vehicle provides protection up to CEN B6/NIJ III/STANAG Level I against caliber 7.62x51 Ball M80 and 5.56x45 SS109. The roof of the vehicle is fitted with a one-man open-top turret which can be armed with a machine gun up to 12.7mm caliber.

The Storm 4x4 APC is powered by a Toyota 4.5L V8 Turbo Diesel engine developing 195 hp. coupled to a 5-speed manual or automatic transmission. It can accommodate up to 10 military personnel including driver and commander.

Storm 4x4 APC produced by the Qatari Company Stark Motors (Picture source Stark Motors)