Burkina Faso deepens military ties with China in major defense upgrade

Burkina Faso has received a significant shipment of Chinese-manufactured military equipment, marking a notable step in its armed forces’ modernization and further consolidating Beijing’s growing defense footprint across Africa.
The delivery, unveiled via social media and confirmed by defense analysts, includes VN22B wheeled fire support vehicles, PLL-05 120mm self-propelled gun-mortars, and SR5 multiple rocket launch systems — all made by China’s Norinco. These advanced systems are expected to significantly boost Burkina Faso’s firepower, mobility, and precision-strike capabilities, particularly amid ongoing operations against Islamist militants in the Sahel. The procurement is part of a multi-phase modernization plan initiated by junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré. In the last year alone, Burkina Faso also acquired mine-resistant vehicles from Turkey, Egypt, and locally produced light armored units — pointing to a deliberate policy of supplier diversification.
While financial details remain undisclosed, the country’s limited defense budget raises questions about how such high-value assets were financed. Analysts suggest options may include deferred payments or concessional loans. China’s appeal — driven by competitive pricing, rapid delivery, and flexible financing — has turned it into Africa’s top defense supplier, with roughly 70% of African countries now operating Chinese-made armored vehicles. For Beijing, such deals advance its strategic and diplomatic influence, while for Burkina Faso, they represent a critical lifeline in a deteriorating security landscape. “China’s expanding security engagements in Africa are part of Beijing’s geo-strategic aims to advance its global security posture,” according to a recent analysis published by the Washington-based Africa Center for Strategic Studies.