Mozambique’s fight against Islamic State Central Africa (ISCAP) militants in the restive northern province of Cabo Delgado has received a boost as at least 5 Marauders; South African-made armoured personnel carriers (APCs) were spotted in the region. Intelligence has previously indicated that Maputo would dispatch the marauders to aid in the ground operations and campaigns against the ISCAP which in November was making strategic moves to capture areas that locked out most of Cabo Delgado from the rest of the country.
The 17-tonne Marauder, manufactured by Paramount Group, can accommodate up to 12 personnel including two crew, and offers STANAG Level 3 protection. Its hull can withstand a direct explosion of 8 kg of TNT. Other sub-Saharan African operators include the Republic of Congo and Malawi. Intelligence indicates that the APCs in Mozambique are fitted with a turret-mounted machinegun a necessary feature to deter the insurgents who have proved quite capable.
South African companies have been supplying equipment and expertise to help the Mozambican government fight the Cabo Delgado insurgency. Notably, the Dyck Advisory Group (DAG) has been on the frontlines in the fight against ISCAP and has been offering substantial aerial support to the ground troops in most districts in Cabo Delgado.
The APCs are a much-needed boost to the fight against the insurgency in Cabo Delgado which has been slowly seeping into neighbouring Tanzania. Moreover, intelligence has indicated that earlier in the year ISCAP seized a Chinese-made armoured vehicle that has been giving them an edge over the military.
