The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has completed the transfer of a pair of Chinese-made FK-2000 short-range air defense systems to Chad. This delivery is part of the UAE’s ongoing military assistance aimed at enhancing Chad’s defense capabilities in the face of rising security challenges. Included in the transfer are 64 missiles and 6,000 rounds of 30 mm ammunition, as reported by Military Africa.
The FK-2000 systems, developed by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, boast a range of 25 kilometers (approximately 15.53 miles) and can engage targets at altitudes of up to 12 kilometers (about 7.45 miles). The system is designed to intercept a variety of aerial threats, including cruise missiles, precision-guided bombs, air-to-ground missiles, helicopters, aircraft, and unmanned aerial systems. The truck-mounted configuration features two missile launchers, each equipped with six surface-to-air missiles, along with two automatic cannons intended for close-in air defense.
This transfer aligns with a military cooperation agreement signed between the UAE and Chad in 2023, meant to bolster the African country’s defense infrastructure against terrorist threats. Notably, Chad has been engaged in ongoing efforts to improve its military preparedness amid a volatile regional security landscape.
However, the UAE’s involvement in the region has not been without controversy. It has come under criticism for allegedly supplying arms to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan, a rebel faction in conflict with the Sudanese Armed Forces since mid-April 2023. The RSF, composed of militia and former paramilitary soldiers, has faced significant losses, including the recent fall of the capital Khartoum. Critics argue that the UAE’s arms support to the RSF undermines the stability and democratic transition in Sudan that followed the removal of President Omar al-Bashir in 2019.
Chadian government officials have made it clear that the FK-2000 systems are not to be transferred to any third party without obtaining approval from China. The presence of these advanced defense systems in Chad may potentially provide crucial support to the RSF, enhancing their capabilities, especially in intercepting multiple targets simultaneously, including combat drones. As the security situation in the region evolves, the implications of these military transfers could be significant for both Chad and its neighboring countries.
