Mauritanian Army has acquired a range of Chinese-made armored vehicles, notably the WMA-301. The President of the Republic of Mauritania, Mr. Mohamed Ould Sheikh Al-Ghazouani, conducted an inspection visit on June 9, 2024, to review the newly acquired military equipment as part of an initiative to modernize the land, air, and naval forces.
The new equipment, aimed at enhancing operational capabilities and combat readiness across all branches of the military, includes advanced armored units, cutting-edge communications systems, field artillery, anti-armor units, rocket and anti-aircraft launchers, aircraft, radar stations, and reconnaissance drones. These drones, equipped for surveillance, tracking, and precise missile guidance, also feature effective attack capabilities, ensuring round-the-clock coverage of national territory, including territorial waters.
Among the various vehicles presented was the WMA-301, an armored vehicle designed by NORINCO China North Industries Corp. It is armed with a 100 or 105 mm gun, a coaxial 7.62 mm caliber machine gun, and a 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun. Used by countries like China, Senegal, Chad, Cameroon, and Djibouti, this vehicle is equipped with a nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) protection system, a fire control system, night vision, a GPS system, and air conditioning. It can carry a crew of four plus one additional soldier. The WMA-301 is protected against 12.7 mm caliber projectiles and shell splinters on the battlefield. It weighs 19,000 kg, can reach a speed of 85 km/h on the road, and has a range of 600 km. Its dimensions, with the gun, are 8.3 meters in length, 2.86 meters in width, and 3.15 meters in height.
MoD)