Burkina Faso acquires EIFDS Buffalo E10 MRAP vehicles from Egypt.

In December 2023, Burkina Faso, faced with security challenges posed by terrorist groups, acquired a new batch of mine-resistant and ambush-protected vehicles (MRAPs) from Egypt. These vehicles are the Buffalo E10, an upgraded version of the locally-produced Temsah-2 armored vehicle in Egypt.
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EIFDS 6x6 Buffalo E10 Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle (Picture source:  EIFDS)

These 6x6 Buffalo E10 Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, capable of carrying up to 12 people, offer robust protection against mines, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and light weapons fire thanks to their V-shaped hull and ballistic armor. They are powered by a 240-horsepower engine, reaching a maximum speed of 100 km/h, and are equipped with modern features such as a 360-degree turret and a fire suppression system.

Burkina Faso is the first international customer for the Buffalo E10, promoted by the Egyptian company Eagles International For Defence Systems. While details regarding the number and value of acquired vehicles remain confidential, these additions are expected to enhance Burkina Faso's response capabilities to security threats significantly.

The Egyptian defense industry, benefiting from government and military support, has experienced rapid growth, specializing in the production of materials such as armored steel and bulletproof glass. This self-sufficiency is partly in response to export restrictions imposed by certain European countries, such as Germany. The Temsah vehicles, including the Buffalo E10, showcase the diversity of Egyptian production, offering various variants of troop transport and armored vehicles.

Furthermore, Burkina Faso has expanded its military cooperation with several countries to diversify its sources of defense equipment. In August 2023, it received Isotrex Phantom MRAPs from the United Arab Emirates, providing maximum protection in various combat scenarios. Türkiye also delivered Nurol Makina Edjer 6x6 armored combat vehicles and Nurol Ejder Yalçın 4x4 vehicles, enhancing the mobility and protection of Burkinabe forces.

Cooperation with China has also intensified, with the acquisition of NORINCO's 105mm WMA301 fire-support vehicles and Norinco's 81mm CS/SM1 self-propelled mortars. These mobile artillery systems strengthen Burkina Faso's ability to respond rapidly on the battlefield.

As a reminder, Burkina Faso, faced with growing terrorist threats, has taken significant measures to enhance its capacity to address these challenges. Diversification of military partnerships has been undertaken with countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Türkiye, and China.

This initiative comes in a unique political context marked by a coup d'état on September 30, 2022, which brought Captain Ibrahim Traoré to the presidency. Traoré's government is characterized by a firm stance against France, perceived as a neo-colonial power, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), an organization seen as opposing the rise of military power in the region.