France increases its military power in Mali with Tiger helicopters and CAESAR 155m howitzers 2301131

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French Armed Forces Operation Serval in Mali
 
 
Wednesday, January 23, 2013, 08:46 AM
 
France increases its military power in Mali with Tiger helicopters and CAESAR 155m howitzers.
France has decided to further increase its military power for the operation Serval in Mali. Since Sunday, January 21, 2013, the 92° Infantry Regiment of French Army equipped with the latest generation of armored infantry fighting, the VBCI is on the way to Mali by sea. According to some unconfirmed French sources, the 68e artillery regiment equipped with 155mm self-propelled gun CAESAR had received orders to prepare a deployment to Mali.
     

A Malian soldier holds a heavy machine gun near Markala, 270km north of Bamako.
     

The French army’s 5th Regiment, which operates the Tiger combat helicopter began arriving in Mali last week, said General Clément-Bollée, commander of French land forces. Older Gazelle light combat helicopter participated in the first wave of French air attacks on Islamist rebel troops.

The first American transport aircraft C-17 arrived in Mali with French soldiers and equipment, Tuesday, January 22, 2013. The U.S. Air Force has flown five C-17 flights into Bamako, delivering more than 80 French troops and 124 tons of equipment thus far in an ongoing airlift operation. United States is is still considering a French request for U.S. aerial refueling support.

French Air Force with fighter aircraft and combat helicopters continue selective air strikes against suspected rebel targets.

France has about 3,150 troops now involved in the operation code-named Operation Serval, 1,600 soldiers are currently deployed in Mali.

About 1,000 African troops from Nigeria, Togo, Benin, Niger and Chad are now taking part in the military intervention. France hopes West African soldiers will eventually take the lead alongside Malian troops in securing the country.

French soldiers have been replaced by the Malian armed forces (FAMA) in Markala to continue their operations to the north from the city of Diabaly.
     

The first American transport aircraft C-17 arrived in Mali with French soldiers and equipment, Tuesday, January 22, 2013.