Benin – Delivery of a plane with ISR capacities

The Beninese Armed Forces (FAB) have received a new aircraft equipped with Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities to bolster its national security efforts. This delivery is a significant milestone for the European Peace Facility (EPF) as this is the first plane handed over to a beneficiary country. The objective is to support the Benin’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its defence infrastructure and improve its ability to monitor and respond to security threats, especially in the North.

This delivery comes at a time of increasing security concerns in Benin. Recently, the FAB faced a deadly attack, near the border with Burkina Faso, where many soldiers were killed in an ambush carried out by terrorist groups. The EU’s support is key to strengthen the operational capabilities of the FAB. The delivery of ISR equipment is part of a series of EU supported packages, financed under the EPF and implemented by Défense Conseil International (DCI group). This package, worth more than EUR 42 million, provides non-lethal military equipment to support the national effort of Benin in addressing increasing threats, as well as EUR 5 million for ammunition and small weapons. All beneficiaries undergo trainings on safeguards, international human rights and humanitarian law before receiving the EU-funded equipment.   

The European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments acts as Administrator for Assistance Measures under the EPF.