Senegal showcases recently purchased Turkish and Chinese armored vehicles.

According to Jake on November 8, 2023, the Senegalese National Gendarmerie recently acquired a number of Chinese Norinco VN22 6x6 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs), although the exact quantity remains undisclosed. The presentation of these vehicles took place during the inauguration of the High Command of the National Gendarmerie headquarters at the Samba Diéry Diallo barracks in Dakar on November 3, 2023.
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Senegal showcases recently purchased armored vehicles, including Chinese Norinco VN22 and CS/V IFVs, Turkish Otokar Cobra II and Nurol Makina Ejder Yalcin APCs, and French Bastion 4x4 APC. (Picture source: Twitter)

The ceremony served as an opportunity to introduce the Chinese Norinco VN22 6x6 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) and to showcase a variety of other armored vehicles already present in the Senegalese army's inventory. In addition to the VN22, the event featured the CS/VN3C, another IFV from the Chinese company Norinco, as well as numerous Cobra II armored personnel carriers (APCs) manufactured by the Turkish company Otokar, one of the 24 Senegalese Ejder Yalçın 4x4s from the Turkish company Nurol Makina and a French Arquus Bastion 4x4 APC, of which France had sold 36 vehicles to Senegal in 2018.

The Chinese Norinco VN22, originally unveiled at the Zhuhai Air Show in 2021, is a 6x6 Infantry Fighting Vehicle primarily designed for export. It is notable for its substantial ballistic protection, capable of withstanding 25mm caliber ammunition at the front and small arms fire up to 14.5mm caliber across the entire hull.

At its debut at the Air Show China 2021, the VN22 was presented in two variants, offering potential versatility in mission configurations. One variant featured a 30mm cannon, a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun, and a 40mm automatic grenade launcher. The other showcased a turret reminiscent of Elbit Systems' UT30MK2, equipped with a 30mm cannon and two anti-tank missiles.

The IFV comes with a remotely operated turret, equipped with a 30mm automatic cannon and two missile launchers designed for second-generation Red Arrow 73D anti-tank missiles. It also features an Active Protection System (APS) on its roof, designed to detect and intercept incoming missiles and projectiles.

The absence of side windows on the VN22 suggests the integration of advanced sensor and camera systems, enhancing the vehicle's situational awareness capabilities. Its amphibious design and adjustable suspension system make it suitable for various operational scenarios, including river crossings, beach landings, and rugged terrains.