Germany has donated 29 Casspir armored vehicles to Army of Mali.

Germany has donated 29 Casspir 4x4 armored vehicle personnel carrier to Mali in the effort to secure in the West African nation. The Malian Armed Forces announced on July 16, 2019, that the donated equipment included 29 Casspir armored vehicles, 4,100 bullet-resistant vests, 4,300 combat boots and 2,700 ballistic helmets.

The official ceremony of the hand-over of Casspir armored vehicles to the Malian army.  (Picture source Twitter account German army)

The military equipment was handed over by Germany’s ambassador to Mali Dietrich Becker on 16 July, 2019, at a military barracks in Kati, an urban commune and the largest town in Mali's Koulikoro Region. The town is situated 15 km northwest of Bamako, Mali's capital, on the Dakar-Niger Railway. I

Since 40 years, the German government supports the armed forces of Mali, with the delivery of military equipment to the Malian armed forces. Germany has deployed thousands of soldiers and police in Mali, who are part of the UN-led MINUSMA peacekeeping mission. The United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was established by Security Council resolution 2100 of 25 April 2013 to support political processes in that country and carry out a number of security-related tasks. The Mission was asked to support the transitional authorities of Mali in the stabilization of the country and implementation of the transitional roadmap.

The Casspir is a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle that has been in use in South Africa for over 30 years. It is a four-wheeled, four-wheel-drive vehicle, used to carry troops. It carries 12 military personnel including driver and commander. The vehicle was originally manufactured in South Africa based on a Bedford (4 × 4) truck chassis. The monocoque hull of the Casspir is of all-welded steel and will withstand attack by 5.56 or 7.62 mm NATO caliber ammunition as well as grenade and artillery shell splinters.

The CASSPIR Armored Protected Personnel Carrier (APC) is a leader in its class bringing high technology and battle-proven effectiveness together to provide one of the safest landmine resistant personnel carriers in the world. It is motorized with an ADE-352T, 5.7 liters, 6-cylinder diesel developing 170 hp. at 2,800 rpm. coupled to an MB G3 manual transmission with 5 forward and 1 reverse gear. It can run at a maximum road speed of 90 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 850 km.