French army trains Congolese armored forces.

During December 2019, the 6th Marine Infantry Battalion of the French Elements in Gabon (EFG) provided "armored" training for the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC).

 During 2019, the EFGs trained nearly 10,000 soldiers from Central African countries, including 202 FARDC soldiers, and conducted 457 training activities, including 34 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Picture source: French army)

The objective of this training was to upgrade thirteen instructors of the Armored Troops Training and Application School, based in Mbanza-Ngungu, 160 kilometers south of Kinshasa (capital city), in the field of armored combat.

The first week of training focused on the platoon's missions: detection, reconnaissance, identification and movement. During the second week, the trainees received counter-IED (Improvised Explosive Devices) awareness and performed reduced turret firing. The Congolese trainees became thus able to develop their tactical and technical skills in the field of armored patrols, but also and above all, their know-how in terms of pedagogy.

The actions undertaken by the EFGs since 2015 for the benefit of the FARDC and the work of the aid workers on the ground have led to a real improvement in the teaching provided at the Armored Troops Training and Application School (EFATBL) by Congolese instructors. New teaching tools have been made available to them to help them in their training mission, including the creation of detailed instruction manuals adapted to their needs.

The EFGs have made training for managers, non-commissioned officers and officers a priority in order to enable the partner armed forces to move towards self-sufficiency in the transmission of knowledge. During 2019, the EFGs trained nearly 10,000 soldiers from Central African countries, including 202 FARDC soldiers, and conducted 457 training activities, including 34 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The partnership with the FARDC is set to strengthen in 2020.

As an operational pole of cooperation, the EFGs complement the training of military personnel from partner countries of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) during their training prior to their engagement in internal or external operations. Nearly 8,400 trainees are distributed each year in more than 200 highly specialised courses. The EFGs are also an operational and logistical support point (Joint Theatre Support Base - JTSB) in Central Africa for the possible conduct of an operation by the French army or for the transit of forces.