France bolsters Benin’s fight against improvised explosive devices

The military alliance between Benin and France has entered a more advanced stage. On Tuesday, 23 June 2026, the 1st Engineer Battalion and the Centre de Perfectionnement aux Actions Post-Conflictuelles de Déminage et de Dépollution (CPADD) received a substantial batch of equipment aimed at boosting the fight against improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The official handover ceremony took place at the CPADD colonel Jean Kouagou N’pina, chaired by the chief of the general staff of the Beninese Armed Forces, represented by Colonel Gilbert Lossitode.

The material provided by France includes IED detectors, disruptor cannons, portable jammers, specialised intervention vehicles, and several other cutting-edge technical tools. These items are designed to improve the detection, neutralisation, and response capabilities of units operating in the field against a threat that has become more frequent in the country’s northern areas.

During the event, the CPADD director, Lieutenant-Colonel Djimon Sahgui, highlighted the strategic role of the CPADD and the 1st Engineer Battalion in the current security environment. He stressed that the growing use of IEDs requires constant adaptation of both resources and operational skills. He also praised the strong and exemplary partnership between Benin and France.

For his part, the defence attaché of the French embassy in Benin, Lieutenant-Colonel Arnaud Ardillier, stated that this donation represents a concrete investment in the safety of Beninese soldiers and the protection of civilians. He particularly emphasised the importance of portable jammers, now considered essential equipment in IED neutralisation operations.

Integrating these materials into the training programs for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) specialists will significantly enhance the security of teams deployed in the field, according to him. This contribution will also help strengthen the technical capacities of Beninese forces facing the evolving tactics of terrorist armed groups.

While officially receiving the equipment, Colonel Gilbert Lossitode expressed the gratitude of the Beninese military high command to France. He described the initiative as an act of solidarity and a concrete commitment to national security. On behalf of the chief of the general staff of the Beninese Armed Forces, he thanked all partners who helped make this project a reality, the results of which should improve the effectiveness of security operations, particularly within the framework of Opération Mirador.