New mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles are set to begin operations in Mali under the first deployment of the MRAP vehicles to China’s overseas peacekeeping force.

The 10th Chinese peacekeeping defence unit is deploying the MRAP vehicles in the north-eastern region of Gao, in eastern Africa.

The vehicles have been modified with defence communications, electromagnetic interference, and observation functions, as well as protection against improvised explosive devices and better manoeuvrability.

Xie Wanglin, 10th Chinese peacekeeping defence unit, rapid response squadron head, said roadside bomb attacks have caused most casualties to the peacekeepers under the continuously deteriorating security situation in the mission area.

“The deployment of the new-type MRAP vehicles will facilitate our mission performance and guarantee our safety to a larger extent,” he said.

The peacekeeping unit has been deployed to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali since 2013 to stabilise the country and assist the country’s return to constitutional order. It was reorganised into a base defence unit in 2022.

MRAP vehicles have previously received international interest while displayed at AirShow China. The Chinese-made VP11 MRAP 4×4 vehicle was designed, developed, and unveiled by Chinese defence company Norinco in 2014.

The reconnaissance, forward command and urban operations vehicle used a V-shaped hull and armour to deflect explosions, caused by mine or IED devices, upward and away from the crew or vehicle.

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