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Djibouti to get Caspir APCs
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| 11 April 2001 |
CHRISTOPHER F FOSS JDW Land Forces Editor
Abu Dhabi
Vickers
OMC of South Africa has been awarded a contract to supply Djibouti with
nine rebuilt Casspir Mk III (4 x 4) armoured personnel carriers (APCs).
Work on the vehicles has already begun in South Africa and all nine Casspir's will be delivered to the Djibouti Army by the middle of this year. In the past Djibouti has obtained most of its armoured fighting vehicle capability from France, procurements from whom include the Panhard AML-90 (4 x 4) 90mm light armoured car and the Panhard VBL (4 x 4) scout car.
Some 2,500 Casspir series APC's were originally built by TFM of South Africa, which was subsequently taken over by Reumech OMC. Reumach in turn was taken over by Vickers Defence Systems of the UK and renamed Vickers OMC.
The Casspir has a multi-mission capability, and incorporates high level protection against mines. Specialised versions of the vehicle in service with the South African Army include 81mm mortar carriers and 106mm anti-tank vehicles. The Casspir normally has a crew of two and can carry 10 fully equipped troops.
Due to changing operational requirements, South Africa has a significant number of Casspir (4 x 4) APCs surplus to requirements. To date India is the largest export customer for refurbished Casspirs, with an order for 165 vehicles, the last of which are currently being delivered.
Vickers OMC, now the largest manufacturer of armoured vehicles in Africa are also to supply the Swaziland Police with four RG-32 Scout armoured patrol mine-protected vehicles. Under previously contracts Vickers OMC has supplied the Swaziland Police with RG-31, RG-32 and RG-12 armoured patrol vehicles. It was recently disclosed that Vickers Defence systems has proposed the enhanced RG-31M and RG-32M to meet the British Army requirement for a Future Command and Liaison Vehicle (Jane's Defence Weekly 28 March).
Vickers OMC have also won their first order to supply an unspecified number of RG-12 armoured patrol vehicles to two undisclosed countries in the Middle East with combined contracts worth US$5 million. Deliveries will be completed by the end of this year.
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| Djibouti will take delivery of nine refurbished Casspir (4 x 4) armoured personnel carriers in mid-2001 (Source: Christopher F Foss) |