The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) military is set to strengthen its ground forces with the arrival of more than 100 armoured vehicles from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The shipment, sourced from Abu Dhabi-based International Golden Group, marks one of Kinshasa’s largest recent acquisitions of military equipment.
The deal comes as the Congolese armed forces continue to face serious security threats, particularly in the volatile eastern provinces where numerous armed groups remain active despite years of counterinsurgency operations.
According to Military Africa, the delivery includes the Kasser II, a mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle (MRAP) designed to handle high-risk combat environments like those in eastern Congo.
Manufactured under the International Golden Group in the UAE, the Kasser II serves multiple purposes, it can be used as an armoured personnel carrier and is built to withstand blasts from mines, improvised explosive devices, and small-arms fire.
Reports indicate the DRC government has ordered around 160 of these vehicles in a deal worth about $70 million.
Some variants are equipped with heavier weapons, including 20 mm cannons and 12.7 mm machine guns, to increase battlefield capabilities.
The first shipments brought in roughly 50 units, while later deliveries, including a batch of 30 that arrived at the port of Matadi in Kongo-Central province in May 2025, have added to the growing fleet.
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This latest arms purchase also highlights the UAE’s increasing involvement in African security affairs.
While Kinshasa frames the deal as part of an urgent effort to modernise its military and stabilise the east, Abu Dhabi’s role in supplying weapons to African nations is under closer examination.
In Sudan the UAE has faced accusations of providing arms and logistical support to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the main rival to Sudan’s army in the country’s ongoing civil war.
Although the UAE denies these allegations, the UN has cited evidence of arms shipments routed through Chad and Libya, reinforcing suspicions that Abu Dhabi is willing to arm non-state actors when it aligns with its strategic goals.
This track record has raised questions about whether the DRC’s procurement is purely a straightforward military transaction or part of a broader Emirati security agenda on the continent.
Critics caution that while the DRC’s motive is to strengthen its military, aligning with a partner accused of backing militias elsewhere could affect its diplomatic image, especially among nations and organisations calling for tighter control over arms supplies to conflict zones.
Still, DRC leaders appear focused on immediate defence priorities rather than potential reputational costs, relying on the UAE’s readiness to deliver quickly, a sharp contrast to the slower pace often associated with Western suppliers.
This decision reflects a wider trend among some African countries that view the UAE as a practical, if contentious, source of both military hardware and political support in an increasingly unstable security landscape.
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Image Credit: CediRates
