Burkina Faso receives more Chinese equipment

One of the VN22B fire-support vehicles that was officially handed over to the National Armed Forces of Burkina Faso on 10 October 2025. (Présidence du Faso)

The National Armed Forces (FAN) of Burkina Faso officially received a significant consignment of new Chinese equipment on 10 October.

President Captain Ibrahim Traoré's office announced that the new equipment had been delivered to FAN units that included the Rapid Intervention Field Artillery Battalion (BACIR) and Rapid Intervention Armoured Battalion (BBIR).

It released photographs showing six VN22B 105 mm fire-support vehicles, four SR5 multiple rocket launchers with two associated ammunition resupply vehicles, six SM6 120 mm self-propelled mortars, and two WZ551-based command vehicles, all of which are made by China's Norinco.

There were also probably 14 SH1 122 mm self-propelled howitzers, at least 16 towed howitzers that looked like second-hand Soviet 122 mm M-30s or the Chinese Type 54 version, at least 10 Shaanxi trucks, and six smaller 4×4 tactical vehicles. The photographs of the old howitzers were removed from the presidency's Facebook page later on 10 October.

The VN22Bs and SR5s were painted in a camouflage not previously used by the FAN but seen in social media videos released in early August showing the same types at a port that could be identified as Tema in Ghana, which is used for Burkinabe imports.

The BACIR and BBIR are both part of the Special Rapid Intervention Brigade (BSIR) that was announced in a January 2024 presidential decree.

The decree identified other BSIR elements as the Special Forces Group (GFS), Republican Guard (GR), Support and Services Command Group (GCAS), Rapid Intervention Air Squadron (EAIR), and a training and development centre.