₦airaland Forum

Lurker4Long:
Ethiopia turns APC into self-propelled artillery

Making best use of available equipment appears to be the thinking behind modifications turning Ethiopian Federal Defence Forces (FDF) armoured personnel carriers (APCs) into self-propelled artillery pieces.

Janes reports that some Chinese WZ551 APCs in service with the East African country’s military now carry 122 mm D-30 howitzers. An FDF photo released on 7 August shows the artillery pieces fitted to five vehicles, allowing operation by gunners standing in the troop compartment with a shield providing limited frontal protection.

It is unclear if the APCs have been fitted with adjustable stabilisers to prevent suspension damage by recoil, the publication reports.

Ethiopia is believed to have about 20 WZ551s in service and at least 450 D-30 guns as well as two dozen M-46 130 mm towed guns. It has apparently mounted D-30 guns on T-55 tank chassis in previous efforts to create self-propelled artillery, although this cannot be confirmed.

Recent photographs also appear to show a howitzer mounted on a military truck.

Ethiopia is apparently also working on a rapidly deployable 120 mm mortar as seen in a photograph released by the FDF in August. Fitted on the load bed of a pickup truck, it appears to be a standard 2B11-pattern mortar with base plate attached to a pneumatic system to lower it from the vehicle bed to the ground so it can be fired, Janes reported.

The FDF released the modified APC photograph during a visit by senior officers to the Ethiopian Defence University in Bishoftu, which it said is working on upgrading weapons.

Another photo showed 122 mm BM21 multiple rocket launcher systems fitted onto six Toyota Land Cruisers. The vehicles were fitted with four stabilisers to keep them steady when firing. Ethiopia previously acquired multiple truck-mounted BM21 systems.

Ethiopia has been acquiring significant quantities of military hardware in recent years, with the most recent documented arrival being dozens of Calidus MCAV-20 vehicles from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last month.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute’s (SIPRI’s) Arms Transfers database, in recent years Ethiopia acquired five Despot armoured vehicles from Bosnia-Herzegovina in 2022, 32 SH-5 155 mm self-propelled guns from China in 2022, four Bayraktar TB-2 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Turkey in 2021, and two Wing Loong-1 UAVs that same year.

China also delivered ten Type-89 APCs in 2013; four PHL-03 300 mm self-propelled multiple rocket launchers (MRLs) in 2019, and ten BP-12A surface-to-surface missile systems in 2020.

In January this year, the Ethiopian Air Force revealed it had received Bayraktar Akinci UAVs from Turkey and second hand Sukhoi Su-30K combat jets from Russia.

bidexiii:
[/b]Mali is equipped with a HALE Akinci drone from Baykar, just like Burkina Faso, glad to see African countries waking up[b]

bidexiii:
[/b]#CION
#NORTH-EAST
#FACTS VS CLAIMS[b]

The Islamic State (ISIS)-affiliated militants, ISWAP on Monday claimed it coordinated an attack against the Nigerian troops involving the use of suicide bombers and direct assault.
They claimed that two suicide bombers identified as Abu Aisha al-Barnawi and Abu Saddiq al-Muhajir believed to be a foreign national detonated vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) at military defensive positions, paving the way for a ground assault.
They claimed that Seven military vehicles, including armored personnel carriers, were reportedly destroyed in the assault.
Images purportedly taken by the attackers were shared online, showcasing the aftermath of the attack and captured military equipment.

FACT

Contrary to ISWAP’s claims, only three Nigerian soldiers paid the supreme price in the attack, few other soldiers were wounded while the troops in supported by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai successfully repelled the assault. The militant deployed four VBIED at the army camp, two were detonated while two others were destroyed.

Attached is a photo of this armored vehicles that was destroyed by the Air Task Force but in their own narrative, they were showcasing the militant on the vehicle and advancing towards the camp. This was its usual propaganda style, of exaggerating its role in the assault by fabricating details to mislead the public and bolster its image after suffering a decisive defeat.

During mop-up operations, 10 ISWAP fighters were confirmed dead, and one was captured alive, further degrading the group’s operational capacity. One ISWAP fighters who survived the suyanisation and barbecue was captured alive with bullets injuries by the troops. The fighter confessed that several fighters were killed while dozens of others were injured.

bidexiii:
More..

bidexiii:
[/b]NAF AIRSTRIKES DECIMATE TERRORIST FOOD DEPOT, NEUTRALIZE FIGHTERS AT JUBILLARAM[b]

In a bold and decisive operation, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (AC OPHK) on 23 November 2024 delivered a crushing blow to terrorist elements in Jubillaram, a notorious enclave in the Tumbuns area of the Lake Chad Basin. This strategic location, identified through meticulous intelligence efforts, served as a critical food storage site and a sanctuary for terrorist commanders and fighters. Intelligence had previously linked terrorists in this location to recent attacks, including the assault on troops in Kareto on 16 November 2024.

In response, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets launched a robust air interdiction mission, destroying identified structures used as storage facilities and neutralising terrorists on-site. Mop-up operations using cannons ensured the complete elimination of fleeing hostile elements. The operation's success was made possible by extensive Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions conducted over several days, confirming the presence of active terrorist structures camouflaged under dense vegetation.

The destruction of the terrorist enclave, including food storage facilities, severely disrupted their logistical operations, while the neutralization of a significant number of fighters diminished their capacity to launch future attacks. This mission demonstrates the NAF's unwavering commitment to defending our nation and people, acting singly and supporting surface forces in counterterrorism operations. The NAF will sustain these robust independent and joint operations until all enemies of Nigeria's prosperity and wellbeing are brought to justice.

Olusola F Akinboyewa
Air Commodore
Director Public Relations and Information
Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force

*25 November 2024*

bidexiii:
[/b]Commander of 6 Brigade Jalingo, personally leading his men to the Mountain's and hideout of Terrorist and kidnappers in Taraba State[b]

"We are committed to eradicating all forms of criminality including Terrorist, kidnapping, and banditry in Taraba State. This commitment is total, and we are determined to achieve this mission" - Brig Gen. Kingsley Uwa.

bidexiii:
#ISWAP/BHT raided a Nigerian F.O.B. in Karito, Borno State. Several vehicles were destroyed and soldiers were killed.

The terrorists seemingly used an Explosive-laden vehicle (SVBIED) to lunch the attack, later by coordinated mass attacks.

bidexiii:
[/b]Highlights from the Career Expo at the South African Army Combat Training Centre Lohatlha’s Mount Huxley on Wednesday 20 November 2024 during #ExerciseVUKUHLOME_III [b]

#SANDF
#SAArmy
#PrideOfLions

tutudesz:
Christmas toys came early all we need are volunteer test subject

bidexiii:
[/b]The NAF T129 ATAK acquisition Program[b]


The 3rd and 4th T129 ATAK helicopters were delivered September this year, bringing the total number of aircrafts delivered to 4 out of 6.
According to Turkish sources TUSAS, NAF and MOD are currently negotiating a contract for an additional 6 helicopters.

Alongside the helicopters, a significant array of munitions and equipment were delivered. Notably, this delivery marked the first foreign deployment of Turkey’s indigenous 20mm cannon, with successful firing tests conducted.

Key highlights of the delivery include:
•3rd and 4th T129 ATAK attack helicopters
•1,456 x 70mm (2.75-inch) unguided rockets
•30 x Roketsan L-UMTAS laser-guided anti-tank missiles
•50 x Roketsan CİRİT laser-guided anti-tank missiles.


Copied: @jakepor21

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL TAOREED ABIODUN LAGBAJA pic.twitter.com/W3IqzfYom5

— Nigerian Army (@HQNigerianArmy) November 14, 2024

rugged7:
Why must it be kept secret?. To who's benefit??
This mentality is typically African and is of no benefit.
Systems abroad allow for autopsies and definition of cause of death.
This allows for identification of problems and correction of systems, policy and SOPPs.
If a foreign country assassinated your COAS, of what benefit is it keeping it secret?
Even Israel, USA,HAMAS, Islamic Jihad and Iran admit when they lose high profile personnel and explain the exact cause.
The reason is to short circuit any rumours that can undermine the government.