The US has delivered two URO VAMTAC (Vehículo de Alta Movilidad Táctico, “High Mobility Tactical Vehicle”) tactical armored vehicles to the Forces Armées Maliennes (FAMa).
VAMTAC (Vehículo de Alta Movilidad Táctico) is a multi-purpose light utility vehicle produced by URO Vehículos Especiale, for the Spanish Army.
The United States Embassy in Mali announced on 22 November that the armored vehicles will go to the special intervention group of the National Gendarmerie (GSIGN). A maintenance kit and spare parts are also part of the donation.
This acquisition is part of the US Government’s Counterterrorism Assistance Partnership Program with the Government of Mali.
The two armored personnel carriers, will be used by soldiers deployed in central Mali to enable them to carry out arrests and patrols more effectively in their area of operations.
The US embassy noted that “through this donation we reiterate once again our commitment to help the transitional government of Mali to deal with the security crisis in Mali.”
The URO VAMTAC is used for reconnaissance, command and control, fire support and tactical transport missions.
VAMTAC closely resembles the US Army High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV or Humvee) as it was built to similar specifications.
Mali which has been at the epicenter of a violent Extremist actions for quite a long time has continued to receive military equipments for several suppliers.
Exactly one year ago, Mali acquired armoured vehicles of various types including Norinco VN2C 6×6 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) from China, at least six Norinco VN2C IFV, along with 50 Kia KM450 military trucks, Dongfeng EQ2050 multi-purpose wheeled vehicles, half a dozen BRDM-2 amphibious scout cars, at least a couple of BTR-70 8×8 amphibious armoured personnel carriers, and six Puma M36 APCs.
Also, in May 2020, Algeria delivered the first batch of 53 logistics and utility vehicles to Mali in a show of support as the country battles Islamist militants.
The country is also known to operate an unknown number of the South African Paramount Marauder Mine Resistant and Ambush Protected Vehicle (MRAP).
The Marauders are fitted with a 14.5 mm gun turret, which was seen fitted to Paramount’s Mbombe 4 armored vehicle.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) delivered 100 Streit Typhoon armored vehicles to the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) on 28 January, 2020.
The Emirati delivery also included 15 Streit Cougar armored vehicles to Mali.
In 2019, Germany donated 29 Casspir armoured personnel carriers and other equipment including 4,100 bullet-resistant vests, 4,300 combat boots and 2,700 ballistic helmets to Mali.