The VBCI deployed in RCA
After Lebanon, Afghanistan and Mali, Nexter VBCI sees a new operational deployment on the Central African soil being organised. The first IFV arrived early August, by Antonov carriers, at the M’Poko airport in Bangui. Today, already 8 VBCI are conducting patrols in Bangui as part of the task of GTIA Acier, implemented by the 16th « Bataillon de Chasseurs ». Eight other VBCI are coming within the next month in order to strengthen the Sangaris Operation. The 16 VBCI deployed in total are to replace a VAB fleet « out of breath », which will undergo major maintenance work. These are the first VABs deployed by prepositioned forces last December. Besides they had much better field mobility, while the rainy season makes the axes difficult, VBCI also offers a much higher comfort, air conditioning for the troops, a more effective fire support (not shot has yet been recorded by the 25mm turret, to this date in connection with the operation Sangaris), but also a significant deterrent effect non negligible.
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