A large shipment of Chinese-made armored vehicles and artillery systems has arrived in Burkina Faso.
The delivery includes VN22B fire support vehicles, PLL-05 120mm self-propelled gun-mortars, and SR5 multiple rocket launch systems.
The shipment was spotted at a port facility and appeared in a video posted by TikTok user issaka114, showing rows of newly delivered equipment painted in desert and tropical forest camouflages.
The VN22B is a wheeled fire support vehicle developed by China’s Norinco, designed for mobility and firepower in high-intensity engagements. The vehicle is equipped with a turret-mounted cannon and advanced targeting systems, optimized for both urban and open-terrain operations.
The PLL-05 120mm self-propelled gun-mortar combines the indirect fire capability of a mortar with the direct-fire capability of a gun, allowing for flexible fire support against infantry, fortifications, and light armored vehicles. Its mobility allows for rapid deployment and repositioning in fast-moving operations.
The SR5 multiple rocket launch system, also manufactured by Norinco, can fire both guided and unguided rockets, giving commanders the ability to engage targets at varying ranges with precision or saturation fire. Its modular design allows quick reconfiguration for different munitions, making it adaptable to a variety of combat scenarios.
Burkina Faso’s acquisition of these systems follows a broader trend of African militaries diversifying their suppliers and incorporating Chinese defense technology into their arsenals.
Beijing has been a growing arms supplier to African nations, offering competitive pricing, flexible financing, and systems that can be rapidly delivered and fielded.