Iraq Launches Local Production of Chinese VN22 Armored Vehicles.

According to a video published on April 1, 2024, by the Iraqi Defence Industries Commission (DIC), Iraq has reportedly launched the local production of what seems to be the Chinese VN22, a 6x6 Armored Personnel Carrier.
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Iraq conducts firing tests with the new locally-made VN22 6x6 armored vehicle. (Picture source Video Iraq DIC)

The Iraqi Defence Industries Commission is actively pursuing a strategic blueprint aimed at bolstering Iraq's defense capabilities. Among its key objectives, the establishment of a cutting-edge defense industrial base stands out. This initiative seeks to fulfill the comprehensive needs of Iraq's armed forces and security apparatus, encompassing a wide array of weapons, equipment, and ammunition.

The Iraqi military's equipment primarily comes from various international manufacturers, including the United States, Russia, and Soviet Union-origin vehicles and weaponry. While there is significant diversity in the origins of Iraq's military hardware, the current publicly available information does not specifically list modern Chinese military equipment as part of their arsenal.

Recent defense relations between China and Iraq have significantly deepened, primarily centered on economic cooperation, infrastructure development, and energy. These developments come amidst Iraq's broader attempts to rebuild and stabilize the country following years of conflict.

China has been a key player in Iraq's reconstruction efforts, especially in the oil, agriculture, and housing sectors. In 2019, Chinese companies agreed to construct 8 million residences across almost all provinces in Iraq, showcasing the scale of China's involvement in the country's infrastructure development. This agreement was part of a broader initiative during the visit of the then-Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi to Beijing, highlighting a "quantum leap" in bilateral relations between the two nations.

Energy cooperation has been a cornerstone of the China-Iraq strategic partnership. Since 2013, when China launched the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Iraq has emerged as an essential partner for energy engagement within this framework. In 2022 alone, China imported a significant amount of crude oil from Iraq, marking a substantial increase in Iraq's oil exports to China and underscoring the strategic importance of their bilateral relations in terms of energy policies.

The VN22 is a Chinese-made 6x6 armored personnel carrier vehicle that was unveiled by the Chinese defense company NORINCO during the Zhuhai Air China in October 2021. In January 2024, it was announced that Côte d'Ivoire acquired an undisclosed number of Chinese-made VN-22B. According to another source, the vehicle is also in service with Senegal Police forces.

The VN22 showcased in the DIC video is equipped with a one-man weapon station, armed with a Norinco 12.7 mm LM5 three-barrel Gatling-type machine gun.

China has been significantly increasing its defense industry presence in Africa, employing a range of strategies that include arms sales, the establishment of maintenance centers, and investment in training facilities. The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) has been particularly active, setting up an aviation training center in South Africa, maintenance and support centers in Tanzania and the Republic of Congo, and spare parts warehouses in Kenya, Zimbabwe, and the Republic of Congo. These initiatives aim to support the sales and maintenance of Chinese-made aircraft, including both civilian and military models.

Moreover, the military cooperation extends to the sale of trainer aircraft, with at least 80 percent of the trainer aircraft fleet operated by African air forces being Chinese-made. This includes various models such as the Y-12 turboprop trainer aircraft and the L-15 trainer jets, indicating a deep penetration of Chinese military hardware into the continent's defense sectors.

Beyond the aviation sector, China's involvement in Sub-Saharan Africa is multifaceted, extending to investments, trade, and cultural exchanges, which underscore the broader strategic objectives beyond merely resource extraction (Atlantic Council). These developments highlight China's ambition to strengthen its defense ties with African nations, potentially reshaping the defense landscape of the continent and expanding its influence in the region.

Defense News April 2024