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Home Defence Industry

Burkina Faso company unveils indigenous armoured vehicle at SYSDEF 2025

Ekene Lionel by Ekene Lionel
May 11, 2025
in Defence Industry
Reading Time: 5 mins read
Burkina Faso made armoured vehicle

Burkina Faso made armoured vehicle

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At the recently concluded SYSDEF 2025 defense exhibition in Burkina Faso, a new chapter in regional defense technology unfolded with the unveiling of an indigenous armored personnel carrier by BAT Équipements, a Burkinabe public limited company.

Founded by Thierry Alain Belemkoabga, this enterprise has stepped into the spotlight with a vehicle designed to tackle the pressing security challenges plaguing the Sahel region, particularly the relentless threat of terrorism. The event drew attention not only for the technological feat but also for the promise it holds for the Defense and Security Forces of Burkina Faso and beyond, offering a locally crafted solution tailored to the realities of combat in hostile environments.

BAT Équipements entered the defense sector about three years ago and has since developed three products, with this light armored vehicle being its first prototype, now standing at 99% completion. Thierry Alain Belemkoabga, the driving force behind the company, spoke candidly at the exhibition about the motivation for this development.

“To contribute to the fight against terrorism, we have embarked on a search for solutions that can enable our various countries to resolve the problem,” he said. The vehicle, he explained, was conceived to place the Defense and Security Forces in secure environments during combat, a direct response to the deteriorating security situation in the sub-region.

The design of this armored vehicle sets it apart from conventional military hardware. Its modular structure allows for adaptability across different operational needs, but its standout feature is its agility. Belemkoabga pointed out a critical flaw in heavier vehicles: “When the national forces are overwhelmed by the enemy, they don’t have the ability to extricate themselves with the vehicle.

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Whereas with the light armored vehicles we’re designing, you have the ability to withdraw from the area and better reorganize and resume the response.” This capability is a game-changer in a region where terrorist groups often rely on swift, unpredictable attacks, leaving security forces vulnerable if bogged down by cumbersome equipment.

Equipped with practical yet advanced features, the vehicle reflects a deep understanding of the local context. A turret allows the gunner to fire shots while being controlled from inside the cabin, ensuring both safety and accuracy.

At the rear, a surveillance camera offers a vision range of up to 10 kilometers, complete with thermal and night vision capabilities. Belemkoabga emphasized its versatility, noting that this tool enables combatants in hostile terrain to monitor their surroundings and can also secure bases, compounds, or other critical areas. The vehicle has been tested against various weapons, from automatic pistols to PKMS machine guns, with results confirming its resistance to these threats, though specific details about its armor remain under wraps.

The company’s vision extends beyond Burkina Faso, targeting regional governments, particularly those within the Confederation Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which includes Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. By presenting the vehicle at SYSDEF 2025, BAT Équipements aims to demonstrate its potential to this market.

“We want to showcase to the AES region our company’s skills and potential to develop these products,” Belemkoabga stated. He revealed that informal discussions with defense and security stakeholders have already shaped the project, and the goal now is to engage all AES countries to define specifications that align with their needs.

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“We hope to propose androgen-friendly solutions adapted to our realities,” he added, stressing the importance of tailoring the vehicle to the region’s unique challenges.

Belemkoabga is a firm believer in the power of local production. “Today, as long as we don’t produce for ourselves, we will be forced to import solutions that perhaps address 10% of the problem. Whereas by developing them ourselves, we will certainly solve 90% of the problem and perhaps later become a nation that can offer solutions to other countries that are in similarly complex situations,” he argued.

This philosophy drives BAT Équipements’ strategy, with local manufacturing poised to slash costs dramatically. While he didn’t disclose the vehicle’s exact price, Belemkoabga reassured that producing it domestically could “divide costs by at least 5 or 10,” making it far more accessible than imported alternatives. “We are at the prototyping stage,” he explained.

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“A prototype is priceless because we do a lot of testing, we reject some solutions, we acquire others. But believe me, this solution will be affordable to support our defense and security forces.”

The vehicle is ready for action, but its deployment hinges on political support. Belemkoabga sees it as more than just a piece of equipment—it’s a tool to boost the fight against terrorism across the ESA region and beyond, potentially enabling internally displaced persons to return to their homes. “Implementing endogenous solutions is an important lever to pull in order to have peaceful territories,” he said.

In Burkina Faso alone, the surge in jihadist attacks has displaced millions, creating a humanitarian crisis that compounds the security threat. The Sahel, encompassing countries like Mali and Niger, has been a battleground for over a decade, with groups like the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara and Jama’a Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin exploiting instability to expand their reach.

Against this backdrop, a locally made, cost-effective armored vehicle could shift the balance, offering security forces a practical means to reclaim control.

The unveiling at SYSDEF 2025 is a bold statement from BAT Équipements, a company still in its early years but already carving out a niche in the defense sector. With three products to its name and this near-complete prototype leading the charge, the firm is positioning itself as a regional innovator.

The light armored vehicle, with its turret, surveillance camera, and combat-tested resilience, is a testament to what local ingenuity can achieve. Its ability to withdraw quickly from danger, coupled with its affordability, addresses the real-world demands of the Sahel’s security forces, who face an enemy that thrives on mobility and surprise.

For all its promise, the vehicle’s future rests on the willingness of regional leaders to embrace it. The Confederation Alliance of Sahel States, with its focus on collective defense, offers a ready framework for collaboration, but turning this prototype into a widely adopted solution will require more than technical prowess—it will take political commitment.

If that support materializes, BAT Équipements’ creation could become a cornerstone in the fight against terrorism, not just in Burkina Faso but across the Sahel, offering a path toward stability and the chance for displaced communities to rebuild their lives. At SYSDEF 2025, the vehicle stood as both a symbol of progress and a call to action, its potential limited only by the decisions yet to come.

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Tags: Armoured vehicleBAT ÉquipementsBurkina FasoSYSDEF Expo
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