United States supplies 54 M1151 HUMVEEs to Djibouti armed forces.

United States supplied 54 new HUMVEES M1151 light tactical vehicles to Djibouti in December 2019, as part of a $31-million train-and-equip partnership between the U.S. government and the Djiboutian military.

54 new Humvees M1151 arrived in Djibouti in December 2019, as part of a $31-million train-and-equip partnership between the U.S. government and the Djiboutian military. (Picture source: US Embassy in Djibouti Twiter account)

The HUMVEE M1151s were delivered to Djibouti seven months ahead of schedule to the Armed Forces of Djibouti (FAD) for use by their Rapid Intervention Battalion (RIB), an advanced infantry battalion being trained and equipped by the U.S. military.

The M1151 Enhanced Armament Carrier is an improved version of the standard Humvee (HMMWV). has a heavier chassis and improved engine to handle add-on armor. It is built on an Expanded Capacity Vehicle chassis, which allows for more passengers or additional supplies up to 1,050 kg.

The $31 million train-and-equip partnership, facilitated by U.S. Embassy Djibouti, U.S. Africa Command, U.S. Army Africa and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, reflects the strong, enduring and cooperative relationship enjoyed by the United States and the Republic of Djibouti.

Centered around a cadre of experienced Djiboutian officers and non-commissioned officers, RIB recruits receive multidimensional skills training as the battalion evolves and grows in capability. Training provided by the U.S. includes, but is not limited to, light infantry tactics, mission planning, weapons training, first aid, land navigation, communication exercises, and additional advanced instruction.

AFRICOM’s commitment to growing the defense capabilities of its Djiboutian partners includes increasing its naval patrol capacity through logistics, maintenance and seamanship training. Djibouti also hosted two iterations of AFRICOM’s Exercise Cutlass Express in 2019, both of which improved combined maritime law enforcement capacity and promoted regional security in East Africa.

Other support arrangements include engineering and construction support to improve base facilities and local roadways.

The U.S. military presence in Djibouti affords our partners an implicit security guarantee, in addition to economic benefits. The U.S. military’s direct and indirect payments total over $200 million annually, equivalent to around 10 percent of Djibouti’s gross domestic product. The U.S. government is also Djibouti’s second-largest employer, behind only the government of Djibouti, including its port operations.