The Beninese Armed Forces have expanded their capabilities with the introduction of new armoured vehicles, marking another step in their modernisation drive amid growing security pressures in West Africa.
By Jarryd Sinovich
Among the most recent additions are Cayman armoured personnel carriers (APCs) from Belarus and MCAV-20 vehicles built by Calidus in the United Arab Emirates. Both types made their public debut during Benin’s Independence Day parade on 1 August 2025, where nine Caymans and four MCAV-20s took part. The Caymans were seen fitted with Russian-made 12.7 mm machine guns. Reports suggest the Belarusian vehicles arrived earlier this year, while the Emirati-built MCAV-20s likely entered the country in 2024.
Cayman APC
Unveiled in 2015 and produced by Belarus’s 140th Repair Plant, the Cayman is a compact yet robust 7,000 kg platform that carries up to six personnel including the driver and commander. Its steel monocoque hull meets STANAG 4569 Level 3 standards for ballistic protection and features a V-shaped underbelly to improve survivability against mines and improvised explosive devices.
Powered by a D-245.30E2 diesel engine delivering 170 hp, the Cayman reaches speeds of 110 km/h on roads and 8 km/h in water, with an endurance of up to 1,000 km. Designed for versatility, it can be fitted with weapon systems ranging from heavy machine guns and grenade launchers to remote-controlled turrets. Belarus integrated the Cayman into service in 2017, while Côte d’Ivoire began operating the type a year later, providing regional familiarity that may have influenced Benin’s acquisition.
MCAV-20
The UAE’s MCAV-20, first revealed in 2021, has already found a market across Africa with operators including Ethiopia, Mozambique, Sudan, Chad, Mauritania and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Weighing between 7 and 9 tonnes, the vehicle is powered by a 330 hp engine and offers protection against both small-arms fire and buried explosives.
Its hull design supports a wide range of turrets and weapon stations, allowing flexible mission configurations from convoy escort to quick-reaction deployments. The MCAV-20 can reach speeds of up to 110 km/h, making it a nimble option for both urban and rural operations. The type complements Calidus’s wider family of vehicles, including the LRV-20 light 4×4 and the Al Wahash 8×8, the latter developed with South African design input from ADG Mobility.
Modernisation trajectory
With both the Cayman and MCAV-20 now in service, Benin joins a growing number of African militaries investing in modern armoured mobility to counter irregular threats and improve operational resilience. The acquisitions reflect a shift toward sourcing equipment from diverse suppliers, balancing cost, availability and regional suitability.
