TSAMTO, June 15. As it became known, the Armed Forces of Cameroon adopted the International Armored Group (IAG) armored combat vehicles "Rila" with a 4x4 MRAP class wheel formula produced in the UAE.
According to Military.africa, the Rila BBM was demonstrated at a recent exhibition in Bamenda (north-west of Cameroon), held as part of the celebration of the country's National Day (also known as Unity Day).
Cameroon's armed Forces are increasingly relying on equipment with enhanced mine protection, as the number of incidents involving the use of improvised explosive devices by illegal armed groups in the country is growing.
According to reports, IAG has delivered at least 20 BBM "Rila" of the MRAP class to Cameroon.
BBM "Rila" was first presented at the Defense and Security Equipment (DSEi) exhibition, held in London in September 2017. It can be made in several configurations, including an armored personnel carrier, an ambulance and a riot control vehicle.
In the second half of 2017, IAG announced the conclusion of a contract with an unnamed customer for the supply of Rila armored vehicles. It is possible that this customer was the Armed Forces of Cameroon.
As reported by TSAMTO, the BBM "Rila" was developed on the basis of the Trakker chassis of the Italian company Iveco, which is equipped with an all-welded steel monocoque body with a V-shaped bottom. The maximum combat weight of the BBM is 18 tons, including 4,500 kg of payload (calculation, fuel, weapons and equipment for performing tasks).
In the basic version, protection against small arms fire meets the requirements of STANAG-4569 Level.2, but can be increased to Level if necessary.4. Mine protection can meet the requirements of STANAG-4569 Level.3a, 3b or 4a. The car is equipped with a 12.6-liter 6-cylinder inline turbocharged diesel engine with a capacity of 380 hp and an automatic transmission.
In the standard version, the commander and the driver are placed in front, and 10 people of the landing party are in the aft part, five along the side facing inward on seats that reduce the consequences of an explosion, with a headrest and five attachment points.
The vehicle is equipped with a single protected turret mounted on the roof, but alternatively it can be equipped with a remotely controlled armament module with a 12.7 mm or 7.62 mm machine gun.
In addition to the doors in the sides, the BBM is equipped with a large door in the aft part, which allows the landing party to quickly leave the car.
During the event, the Cameroonian authorities also presented armored vehicles of other types from different manufacturers, including the V-150 Commando BBM. The gendarmerie demonstrated an updated model of the BBM "Panther" T8 produced by the Emirati company MSPV (Minerva Special Purpose Vehicles). Over the past two years, Cameroon has received an unspecified number of these armored vehicles.
At least three light armored vehicles "Musketeer" produced by the Israeli company Saymar were also demonstrated. It is known that in 2016 a batch of this equipment was delivered to the Presidential Guard of Cameroon.
