Benin on Thursday received a surveillance aircraft from the European Union to bolster its fight against jihadist groups in the north of the country.
The Cessna Caravan C208B aircraft will serve as part of Operation Mirador, which the Benin military is conducting “to counter attacks by armed terrorist groups and in so doing respond to a security urgency,” said EU ambassador to Benin Stephane Mund.
Recent months have seen a spike in attacks on Benin forces in the north.
The delivery is part of the European Peace Facility encompassing military aid that Benin has been receiving for two years, worth more than 47 million euros ($51 million).
At the start of the year, the Beninese army also firmed up a cooperation agreement with the US for the coming five years.
In January 2022, Benin deployed nearly 3,000 soldiers to secure its borders as part of Operation Mirador, before recruiting 5,000 additional soldiers to strengthen security in the north.