Chad army unveils new armored vehicles.

According to Defence Web, several new armored vehicles were unveiled by Chad’s army during a parade in the capital N’Djamena earlier this month to celebrate the African country’s 61 years of independence.
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LT-79 light APC (Picture source: The Armoured Group)

A large number of Terrier LT-79 light armored personnel carriers appeared in the parade, operated by the elite Directorate General of Security Services of the State Institutions (DGSSIE). Terrier LT-79s are manufactured by The Armoured Group, who said earlier this month that 30 of the vehicles were being shipped to a ‘central African country’. The vehicle has been completely built on the chassis of a Toyota 79 (hence its designation). It comes standard in a three-door configuration which offers a 2+6 seating arrangement. Additionally, variants are available in 5-door configurations as well as light surveillance, remote firing post (with RWS capability) and aircraft assault platforms which can be customized for any operational requirements. Due to its highly customizable nature, the Terrier is popular with law enforcement, paramilitary, NGO and military clientele. It has all-around CEN B6-level armoring, can carry six to eight people and is powered by a 4.4-liter V8 turbo-diesel engine. It has a combat weight of 5.6 tonnes. Chad’s vehicles are equipped with a weapon station, armed with a 12.7 mm DShK-type machinegun.

The DGSSIE elements of the parade also featured two Arquus Bastion vehicles, which according to Janes, are the same APC variant that the European Union delivered to Mali and Burkina Faso as part of the G5 Sahel Joint Force. Chad is also part of that force. Two more Bastion vehicles of the same variant were displayed by the Division of Special Anti-Terrorist Groups (DGSAT). According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Chad received seven Bastions in 2019/2020, financed by the European Union.

The DGSAT also featured two Turkish-made Ejder Yalçin APCs, appearing for the first time in public, and six Nigerian-made Proforce Ara 2 vehicles.

Proforce Ara 2 armored vehicle of the Chadian army (Picture source: via Defence Web)

The Ara or Thunder is a 17-ton Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, integrated with a fully independent suspension system. Ara’s traction and small turning radius contribute to its superior maneuverability through narrow roads. The vehicle is powered by a 400hp Cummins engine with Allison transmission. As standard, the vehicle armor protection system is independently tested for STANAG levels and is designed to be fully upgradeable. The Ara can be equipped with slat armors and iron curtains to protect against RPGs. The Ara can be fitted with unique hybrid passive and reactive armors for effective defense against IEDs, EFPs and shape charge warheads.

Chad was the first export customer for the Ara 2, ordering 20 in June 2019 – eight were delivered in May this year. The Ara 2 is built to STANAG level 4569 protection standards with double skin protection of Level 3A and 3B, and an underbelly of 4A and 4B. This protection level ensures an underbelly with a V-shaped hull design. With the capacity to carry up to 12 personnel plus equipment, the Ara 2 can be configured into multiple variants. A 12.7 mm machinegun can be mounted on a 360-degree roof turret which can be open or fully enclosed.

The Chadian army, Defence Web summarizes, utilizes a mixed bag of APCs and infantry fighting vehicles: French, Chinese, Israeli, Turkish, modernized Soviet-era and U.S. APCs and IFVs have been acquired by Chad since 2010 as the country battles terrorist groups in the region. Defence Web recalls that the latest acquisition was nine ERC-90 armored vehicles from France in January 2021, joining Chad’s RAM, BMP-1, WZ-523, VAB-VTT, Bastion Patsas and BTR-60/80 armored personnel carriers.