The military force of the Democratic Republic of Congo has enhanced its mobility and firepower by procuring armoured vehicles from Turkish Katmerciler.
Turkish armoured vehicle manufacturer Katmerciler recently finalised a contract worth tens of millions of dollars with Kinshasa that had been stalled since 2020.
Since 2020, the Congolese government has been waiting on the delivery of armoured vehicles from Katmerciler to ease pressure on the army, which is in need of equipment in its fight against the M23 rebels in the east of the country.
Estimated at $75 million for 185 Hizir MRAPs, this contract, long delayed by various obstacles will improve Kinshasa ‘s odds against the rebel groups it is fighting.
The Hizir has entered service with Turkey’s military. It can carry nine personnel, including driver and commander. The vehicle has a gross weight of 16 tons and has a V-hull for landmine and improvised explosive device protection. It is powered by a Cummins six-cylinder diesel developing 400 hp, giving a top speed of 110 km/h and range of 700 kilometres.
The Hizir can be built in a number of configurations, including combat, command and control, CBRN, weapon carrier, ambulance, reconnaissance and border security. It can be fitted with an Aselsan SARP turret with machine guns or an automatic grenade launcher.
In Africa, the vehicle is fielded by The Gambia with 22 units acquired in 2022, Kenya which acquired 118 units in 2021, and Uganda with at least 15 units ordered in 2020.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has seen the biggest increase to its military budget globally at 105% as the central African country battles multiple security threats. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), in a new report on world military spending, found that the DRC saw the largest percentage increase in military spending – 105% – by any country in 2023 – greater even than Ukraine.
There has been and is protracted conflict between government and non-state armed groups in the Central African country, with an estimated 200 militias and armed groups operating in the region, as well as Red Tabara rebels aiming to destabilise neighbouring Burundi.
In 2023, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) significantly increased its military spending, reaching $794 million. This surge in spending occurred alongside heightened tensions with Rwanda, increased clashes with non-state armed groups, and the DRC government’s efforts to strengthen its armed forces. Notably, the large-scale United Nations peacekeeping mission in the country is being replaced by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in Mozambique (SAMIDRC), which includes South African troops.
South Africa has become a significant supplier to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Paramount Group delivered 25 Maatla armored personnel carriers (APCs) to the DRC police in 2023, along with 20 Mbombe 4 APCs to the DRC military. Additionally, the DRC is acquiring six Mwari intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platforms from Paramount.
Last year, the DRC obtained nine CH-4 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. Other recent acquisitions include 30 Calidus MCAV-20 armored vehicles from the United Arab Emirates, as well as various new small arms and light weapons from different suppliers. Furthermore, the DRC received seven second-hand OH-58 and UH-1H helicopters from the United States in 2019