On August 15, 2022, during the military parade that was held in Congo Brazzaville to mark Independence Day, the defense forces of Congo Brazzaville unveiled their new acquisition of combat vehicles including Russian GAZ-2330 and Kamaz Patrol armored vehicles.
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Russian-made GAZ-2330 Tigr 4x4 armored vehicle at a military parade in the Republic of Congo, August 15, 2022. (Picture source Twitter account Hammer of War)
Congo’s small armed forces have low levels of training and limited overall capability and utilize aging equipment. They have struggled to recover from the brief but devastating civil war in the late 1990s. France provides advisory assistance and capacity-building support in military administration and military and police capability. A military-cooperation agreement was signed with Russia in 2019.
There is no official information about the delivery of Russian GAZ-2330 and Kamaz Patrol armored vehicles to the Defense Forces of Congo Brazzaville. Citing information published on the Military Balance report 2021, the Republic of Congo has only Soviet-made BRDM-1, BRDM-2 reconnaissance armored vehicles and wheeled APC (Armored Personnel Carriers) including AT-108 Saxon, BTR-152, BTR-60, Panhard M3, Mamba, and Mamba.
The GAZ-2330 is a Russian-made multirole 4x4 armored vehicle designed and manufactured by the company by Military Industrial Company (BMK), a subdivision of the GAZ Group. The first prototype of the vehicle was unveiled in 2002 and production started in 2004. It is the most popular 4x4 armored vehicle in service with the Russian army. The vehicle is in service with 18 countries mostly located in Asia and Africa. The vehicle has been also designed in several variants.
The design of the GAZ-2330 Tigr is standard for a modern 4x4 armored vehicle with the engine at the front crew in the middle including a driver and commander and troops compartment at the rear. The roof of the vehicle can be fitted with a range of weapon stations armed with a light machine gun or automatic grenade launcher. The hull of the Tigr provides protection against the firing of small arms and artillery shell splinters.
The Patrol is a Russian-made 4x4 armored vehicle in the category of MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) based on the KAMAZ-43501 4x4 truck. The vehicle was unveiled in 2015.
The Patrol MRAP vehicle can carry up to 10 soldiers. It has a gross weight of 12.7 tons and can run at a maximum road speed of 100 km/h. The hull provides protection for the crew against the firing of small arms 7.62 mm calibers and the vehicle also provides protection against mines and improvised explosive devices.
Russian-made Patrol Patrol MRAP vehicle at a military parade in the Republic of Congo, August 15, 2022. (Picture source Twitter account Hammer of War)
Defense News November 2022
