Military cooperation between Benin and France has reached a new milestone. On Tuesday, 23 June 2026, the 1st Engineer Battalion and the Centre for Post-Conflict Demining and Decontamination Training (CPADD) received a substantial shipment of equipment aimed at strengthening the fight against improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The official handover ceremony took place at the CPADD Colonel Jean Kouagou N’pina, presided over by the Chief of Staff of the Beninese Armed Forces, represented by Colonel Gilbert Lossitode.
The equipment provided by the French Republic includes IED detectors, disruptor cannons, portable jammers, specialised intervention vehicles, and several next‑generation technical tools. These resources are intended to enhance the detection, neutralisation, and response capabilities of units deployed in the field, particularly in the face of a threat that has become recurrent in the northern regions of the country.
During the ceremony, CPADD Director Lieutenant‑Colonel Djimon Sahgui highlighted the strategic role of the CPADD and the 1st Engineer Battalion in the current security context. He stressed that the proliferation of IEDs requires constant adaptation of means and operational skills. He also praised the quality of cooperation between Benin and France, calling it a solid and exemplary partnership.
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 civilian populations. He especially emphasised the importance of portable jammers, now considered essential equipment in IED neutralisation operations.
According to him, integrating these materials into the training programmes for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) specialists will significantly strengthen the security of teams deployed in the field. This contribution will also help improve the technical capabilities of Beninese forces facing the evolving methods of terrorist armed groups.
Upon officially receiving the equipment, Colonel Gilbert Lossitode expressed the gratitude of the Beninese military high command to the French Republic. He described this initiative as an act of solidarity and a concrete commitment to national security. On behalf of the Chief of Staff of the Beninese Armed Forces, he thanked all the partners who helped make this project a reality, noting that its benefits should enhance the effectiveness of security operations, particularly within the framework of Operation Mirador.
