The Armed Forces of Benin officially unveiled their new Caiman armored vehicles, of Belarusian origin, during the military parade celebrating the country’s 65th independence anniversary, held on August 1st.
The vehicles were showcased in military camouflage of the national army and equipped with 12.7 mm DShK heavy machine guns. Images of the parade circulated on social media, including the @afrikinform page, which highlighted the presence of the “armored alligators” during the civic-military celebration.
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Developed by the 140th Repair Plant located in Borisov, Belarus, the Caiman was first revealed in 2015. The pre-production model used the hull of the BRDM-2, a Soviet reconnaissance vehicle, but current models feature new hulls manufactured in Belarus.
The Caiman is equipped with independent torsion bar suspension, along with axles and wheel gears based on the BTR-60 system. According to official data, around 67% of the components are locally produced in Belarus.
According to military authorities, the Caiman was designed to carry out reconnaissance, patrol, sabotage, and convoy escort missions. With a compact structure, amphibious capability, and good off-road mobility, the vehicle can operate effectively in areas such as forests, swamps, and remote regions.
Although it lacks technological innovations compared to more modern armored vehicles, the Caiman is considered a viable solution for countries with budgetary constraints or those that do not require high-tech equipment.
The first international customer of the vehicle was Ivory Coast. In addition to the Belarusian armored vehicles, Benin has also been acquiring military equipment from China as part of its efforts to modernize its armed forces.
Source and images: Militarnyi | Facebook afrikinform. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
