Central African Republic receives donated arms from China and US

Barely few months after the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) denied the Central African Republic from receiving donated ammunition from China, the country’s armed forces has now taking delivery of over 120 assorted vehicles donated by the United States and China.

The Central African Republic armed forces (FACA), through the President Faustin-Archange Touadéra has just taken delivery of more than 70 vehicles with a value of over USD15 million from the Poly Technologies, a Chinese-based defense company.

According to Defence Minister Marie Noëlle Koyara, the vehicles included Dongfeng EQ2050 4×4 tactical vehicles and Dongfeng CSK131 4×4 protected vehicles, which are Chinese versions of the US Humvee.

Several Steyr 6×6 utility trucks, Iveco ambulances, firefighting trucks, and water carriers, as well as engineering vehicles such as bulldozers, tractors, and graders, were also delivered.

While the United States donated over 48 vehicles with an overall value of USD8.5 million to Touadéra on 6 August.

The C.A.R president disclosed that the vehicles included 42 Toyota Hilux 4×4 pickups outfitted with communications equipment and six Renault K380 utility trucks, with nine tanker trucks of unspecified make to be delivered at a later date.

The donated vehicles will be used to enhance the FACA’s efforts in combating insecurity in the country.