Burkina Faso Bolsters Firepower with Advanced Chinese SR5 Modular Multiple Rocket Launch System

Burkina Faso has taken delivery of a substantial shipment of Chinese-manufactured military hardware, marking one of the country’s most significant defense acquisitions in recent years. The new equipment includes VN22B fire support vehicles, PLL-05 120 mm self-propelled gun-mortars, and the SR5 modular multiple rocket launch system, all of which are expected to give the nation’s armed forces a decisive boost in mobility, firepower, and operational flexibility.

The delivery comes amid escalating security challenges in the Sahel, where Burkina Faso faces a grinding insurgency involving groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara. These factions have entrenched themselves in remote areas, frequently launching cross-border raids and ambushes. The instability in neighboring Mali and Niger, combined with porous borders, has turned the region into a volatile battlefield.

New Hardware, New Capabilities

The VN22B fire support vehicle, developed by China’s NORINCO, is a highly mobile 6×6 wheeled platform armed with a stabilized 30 mm autocannon and advanced fire control systems. Capable of engaging both light armored vehicles and fortified positions on the move, it can reach speeds of over 100 km/h and has a range exceeding 800 km. Its modular armor offers protection against heavy machine gun fire and artillery fragments, making it ideal for fast-moving operations in Burkina Faso’s mix of desert, savanna, and urban terrain.

The PLL-05 120 mm self-propelled gun-mortar offers dual functionality, capable of firing both high-angle indirect artillery fire and direct anti-armor or high-explosive rounds. With a maximum range of around 13 km for extended-range shells and a sustained fire rate of up to 10 rounds per minute, it is well-suited for counter-insurgency operations and rapid-response missions. Its mobility and “shoot-and-scoot” capability make it harder for enemy forces to target.

The SR5 multiple rocket launch system is one of the most versatile in its class, capable of launching both 122 mm and 220 mm rockets, with guided variants reaching up to 70 km. It can switch between precision strikes and saturation bombardment depending on mission needs, making it a flexible tool for disrupting insurgent supply lines, striking assembly areas, or halting advancing forces.

Geopolitical Shift Toward Beijing

Burkina Faso’s pivot toward Chinese defense suppliers reflects a wider realignment in Sahel geopolitics. Since the 2022 coup, relations with several Western partners have cooled, with the government instead strengthening ties with the Alliance of Sahel States and non-Western suppliers, notably China and Russia. Beijing’s role in Africa’s defense sector has been expanding rapidly, offering competitive pricing, fast delivery, and long-term support packages that include training and maintenance.

For China, the deal with Burkina Faso is part of a broader strategic push to expand influence across the continent, especially in regions where Western military support has diminished. Supplying advanced weapons systems helps cement long-term partnerships and provides Beijing with a foothold in strategically important areas like the Sahel, which has become a focal point of great-power competition.

Defense Modernization Under Traoré

The acquisition aligns with President Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s defense modernization strategy, launched in late 2023, which aims to transform Burkina Faso’s military into a high-mobility, well-networked, and better-protected force. The emphasis is on platforms that can operate independently, deliver rapid and concentrated firepower, and adapt to the demands of asymmetric warfare.

Once the VN22B, PLL-05, and SR5 systems are fully integrated into service, supported by trained crews and maintenance infrastructure, the armed forces will have a greatly enhanced ability to:

• Provide direct fire support to infantry and mechanized units.

• Conduct long-range interdiction of insurgent movements.

• Rapidly shift forces and deliver concentrated strikes in remote or contested areas.

In the face of persistent insurgent threats, these acquisitions signal Burkina Faso’s intent to not only hold its ground but to project a stronger military presence across its borders, reshaping the balance of power in one of the world’s most unstable regions.