14 August 2014 by Guy Martin - defenceWeb

Ammunition manufacturer Pretoria Metal Pressings (PMP) is diversifying its product range, manufacturing Russian calibre ammunition and investing in research and development, such as polymer bullet casings and less than lethal ammunition.

PMP recently concluded an agreement with US company PolyCase on the manufacture of heavy metal free ammunition and polymer cartridge cases, which are lighter and much cheaper than conventional brass. PMP is also conducting its own research into these areas and aims to double its research and development efforts in the next two years as it keeps abreast of technology and increases its portfolio and turnover.

Some of the research and development projects PMP is involved with deal with programmable fuses, heavy metal-free primary explosives and incorporating 3D printing in components and manufacturing processes.

PMP is collaborating with a number of institutions on research and development, such as the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Armscor and various local universities. PMP is looking at a number of new areas, including less than lethal ammunition, and is exploring collaboration with various small arms and ammunition manufacturers such as Brugger and Thomet (B&T) on less than lethal ammunition production (Denel is marketing some of B&T’s small arms). Phaladi Petje, CEO of PMP, said that less than lethal ammunition was needed for the local security clusters in South Africa.

Petje noted that the 2012 Defence Review calls for the support of the South African National Defence Force and the consolidation of sovereign capabilities within South Africa. As a result, the company is trying to be sure it can localise some technologies that are critical to the defence force.

Part of the process of expanding the product portfolio and finding new markets involves being competitive and for this reason PMP is embarking on a massive machinery improvement programme worth R400 million over the next five years. This will see new machinery bought and older machinery upgraded and improved. The plant renewal process has begun, with some systems set to come on line in the next two to three years.

PMP aims to double its turnover to more than R1 billion over the next five years as it increases its presence in Africa and meets the needs of the local market. As part of its strategy of expanding into Africa, PMP recently made the decision to begin manufacturing Russian 7.62 x 39 mm ammunition for the AK-47 series of assault rifles and their generics. At the moment the company is ready to produce and deliver this type of ammunition and has sent out quotations to interested customers. It is also nearly ready to deliver 23 mm Russian calibre cannon ammunition. Petje told defenceWeb that there are requirements for the 23 mm ammunition and PMP is in discussions with clients for a ‘substantial amount’. He added that PMP has been having successes supplying ammunition to some countries in Africa.

“We realised that to penetrate the African market, we need products to complement their systems,” Petje said of the decision to manufacture Russian calibre ammunition, as a significant number of African countries use Russian rather than Western ammunition and military equipment.

As a state-owned company, PMP exists primarily to serve South Africa’s needs first. “We exist to meet the SANDF’s requirements and have an obligation to add to the national development objectives,” Petje said. In addition to supplying the South African National Defence Force with various calibres of ammunition, PMP also disposes of old ammunition stocks and recovers the copper, which is used in other applications, but the company is exploring the possibility of ammunition disposal on the rest of the continent.

PMP is currently producing 30 x 173 mm ammunition for the 30 mm GI30 CamGun of the Badger infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) being built for the South African Army. The company is busy qualifying the 30 x 173 mm CamGun ammunition for the Bushmaster cannon, which is extremely popular throughout the world and therefore a good export prospect. Petje said PMP would hopefully soon be having a foreign sale involving this type of ammunition.

PMP also developed the 20 x 42 mm ammunition for the shoulder-fired Neopup weapon. The ammunition is ready for production.

Since Swartklip ceased manufacturing .22 Long ammunition some years ago, there has been no local production of this type of ammunition and this is something PMP may consider as there is lots of demand. “It is in our thoughts,” Petje said, noting that the company receives many requests for quotes for such ammunition.

Some 40-55% of local manufacture is exported but in a good year Petje said PMP can export up to 60%. This year he expects the company to export 55-60% of its turnover. For the first time in many years PMP has a good order book – normally at this time of year he said the company has around 55% order coverage but at the moment it is sitting on 100%. “Next year is exciting,” Petje said, in terms of both orders and partnerships, with a ‘significant’ order pipeline.

One third of PMP’s turnover goes towards non-military business, such as chemicals for the mining industry, blasting fuses for mines and brass strip for industry. As PMP increases its turnover, it is expecting to sell mining drill bits outside South Africa, which is currently its main market for drill bits.

PMP makes ejection seat cartridges under license from Martin Baker and supports the ejection seats of the Hawk Lead-In Fighter-Trainer and Gripen fighter jet of the South African Air Force. The company also supplies different power cartridges e.g. fire extinguisher cartridges, bomb release cartridges, etc. for some international clients.

The Royal Navy's HMS Iron Duke with Nigerian Navy patrol boats. Photo Royal Navy.

13 August 2014 naval-technology.com

The UK Royal Navy's Type 23 Duke-class HMS Iron Duke (F234) and the Nigerian Navy have carried out exercises aimed at exchanging skills and techniques.

Personnel from both navies participated in sessions in navigation, seamanship, fire-fighting and damage control techniques, in addition to first aid and an at-sea exercise involving Nigerian personnel on HMS Iron Duke.

HMS Iron Duke chief petty officer Norm Brindley said: "The training proved very useful. It's always good for us to conduct training with other navies as it forces us to review our own techniques.

"Training with the Nigerian Navy was particularly interesting. They do a lot of things under the same principles as our methods, so it was a good refresher for both sides."

HMS Iron Duke boarding officer lieutenant Oliver Behan said: "The two days were an excellent chance to work with regional partners and assist the Nigerian Navy with its training.

"It was a chance for both navies to see how the other conducts boarding operations and all of us were able to take some valuable lessons from the two days."

Capable of accommodating a crew of 185, the 133m-long Duke-class vessels are armed with the vertical-launched Seawolf point-missile defence system and the Boeing Harpoon surface-to-surface missile for anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface warfare capabilities.

The 4,900t vessels are powered by a diesel-electric and gas (CODLAG) system, comprising two Rolls-Royce Spey SM1A 34,000hp gas turbines and two Alstom 1.5MW 4,400hp electric motors.

13 août, 2014 – BBC Afrique

Le parlement de la Libye a voté en faveur d'une intervention étrangère pour protéger les civils pris au piège dans les combats meurtriers entre milices rivales.

Les députés se sont réunis à Tobrouk dans l'est du pays à cause de la violence à Tripoli et à Benghazi, et 111 députés sur 124 ont voté pour l'appel.

Ni l'ONU, ni aucune autre puissance étrangère n'a pour le moment de plans d'intervention

Suite de l’article

13/08/2014 Sources : EMA

Du 6 au 8 août 2014, le capitaine de vaisseau Antoine Camus, adjoint interarmées des forces françaises stationnées à Djibouti (FFDj), s’est rendu en Ouganda à l’occasion de l’instruction opérationnelle réalisée par les FFDj au profit d’un bataillon de l’Uganda People Defence Force(UPDF).

Conduite par le capitaine de vaisseau Camus, à 200 km au nord-ouest de Kampala, la délégation des FFDj a visité aux côtés de Son Excellence Madame Sophie Makamé, Ambassadeur de France, le centre d’entraînement aux opérations de maintien de la paix (CEOMP).

Cette rencontre s’est déroulée dans le cadre du plan de coopération des FFDj. A ce titre, le 5eRégiment Interarmes d’Outre-Mer (5eRIAOM) effectue depuis le 12 juillet 2014 un détachement d’instruction opérationnelle (DIO) nommé UGABAG XIV.

Ce DIO, aux ordres du capitaine Benoît Colombier, dispense une formation aux opérations de maintien de la paix (OMP) dans le cadre de la mise en condition opérationnelle d’un bataillon de l’UPDF, avant sa projection au sein de la mission de l’Union Africaine en Somalie (AMISOM). Il tend à former 2 600 soldats d’ici le 22 août 2014.

Cette mission d’instruction s’inscrit dans le cadre du soutien apporté par les forces françaises en Afrique pour la formation des contingents africains aux opérations de maintien de la paix. Dès 2006, la France a ainsi assuré l’instruction opérationnelle des bataillons ougandais et des bataillons burundais qui arment l’AMISOM.

Au cours de cette formation deux phases d’instruction et d’entraînement ont été abordées. La première phase est axée sur l’apprentissage des savoir-faire individuels fondamentaux tels que les déplacements, le maniement des armes en dotations, ou encore les réactions face aux engins explosifs improvisés. La deuxième phase s’articule autour de sept modules : escorte de convoi, patrouille, défense d’un secteur, attaque d’un point, bouclage et fouille d’une zone, check-point et embuscade.

En conformité avec le traité de coopération de défense signé en 2011 avec la république de Djibouti, les FFDj constituent une base opérationnelle avancée en Afrique de l’Est. A ce titre, elles participent au dispositif militaire français prépositionné permettant de disposer d’un réservoir de forces pouvant être projetées rapidement en cas de crise. Parmi leurs missions, les FFDj apportent également un soutien logistique essentiel au profit des bâtiments français et étrangers engagés dans les opérations de lutte contre la piraterie, notamment l’opération Atalante. Ce soutien concerne aussi la République de Djibouti dans le cadre de sa mobilisation contre la piraterie. Les FFDj bénéficient enfin d'une capacité d’entraînement permanente, avec comme principal « outil » le centre d’entraînement au combat et d’aguerrissement de Djibouti (CECAD) qui accueille des unités permanentes ou en mission de courte durée des FFDj, des unités ou écoles de métropole, ainsi que les forces armées djiboutiennes et étrangères.

13/08/2014 Sources EMA

Le 5 août 2014, une compagnie du groupement tactique interarmes (GTIA) Acier a mené, en appui de la MISCA, une opération de fouille dans le 4earrondissement de Bangui.

Après l’exploitation d’informations laissant supposer la présence d’armement dans une maison, une opération conjointe a été déclenchée. Celle-ci a engagé des officiers de police judiciaire (OPJ), appartenant aux Unités de Police Constituées (UPC) de la MISCA, appuyés par les militaires de la force Sangaris.

Ce dispositif s’est déployé dans le quartier de Boy Rabé, au Nord-Est de Bangui. Il était armé, en primo intervenant, par les OPJ de l’UPC qui sont les seuls, avec les forces de sécurité intérieure (FSI), à pouvoir appréhender des suspects et saisir le matériel. Au cours de cette opération, les deux OPJ camerounais de la MISCA ont pu constater la présence d’armement, ainsi que d’effets militaires. Des individus ont alors été interpellés et transférés dans les locaux de la MISCA.

Les soldats de la force Sangaris disposent des moyens et des savoir-faire spécifiques leur permettant d’apporter un appui adapté aux forces de la MISCA pour la conduite de ces opérations de fouille. Ces actions ciblées sont intégrées dans de plus larges opérations de contrôle de zone menées régulièrement. Elles permettent de faire appliquer les mesures de confiance, et ainsi de maintenir le niveau de sécurité minimale atteint depuis plusieurs mois dans la capitale.

Environ 2000 militaires français sont actuellement déployés dans l’opération Sangaris, aux côtés des 6000 hommes de la MISCA. Lancée le 5 décembre 2013 par le président de la République, l’opération Sangaris vise à rétablir un niveau de sécurité minimale en République Centrafricaine et à faciliter la montée en puissance de la MISCA, ainsi que son déploiement opérationnel.

JOUKOVSKI (région de Moscou), 13 août - RIA Novosti

La réalisation du contrat prévoyant la livraison à la Libye de missiles antichar russes Khrizantema-S touche à sa phase finale, a annoncé mercredi à RIA Novosti Gueorgui Kouzyk, responsable du bureau d'études KBM.

"Il y a avait des problèmes politiques sérieux (…) en Libye. Le calendrier d'exécution a été officiellement modifié. Mais à l'heure actuelle, le contrat est en phase finale de l'exécution",  a indiqué l'interlocuteur de l'agence.

Le contrat en question a été signé avant la guerre civile libyenne qui a débuté au printemps 2011. Après la chute de Mouammar Kadhafi, le pays a plongé dans le chaos, devenant le théâtre d'affrontements entre bandes armées.

13 August 2014 by Guy Martin - defenceWeb

The first Paramount Group Advanced High-performance Reconnaissance Light Aircraft (AHRLAC) prototype has performed its maiden flight and has embarked on a rigorous flight testing programme.

The Experimental Demonstrator (XDM) prototype’s first flight to the public took place this morning at Wonderboom airport outside Pretoria, although the aircraft took to the skies for the first time on 26 July. The aircraft was piloted by test pilot ‘Blokkies’ Joubert on its maiden flight, who flew the aircraft for around 35 minutes. He reached an altitude of 9 000 feet and a speed of around 120 knots as he evaluated the aircraft’s handling abilities. So far, the XDM aircraft has flown seven hours.

Testing has gone well, with no systems failures so far. The first prototype will probably fly 100-200 hours before Paramount and prime contractor Aerosud are satisfied with initial testing. During test flights a Cessna Caravan has been used as a chase plane, but future test flights will use a faster Pilatus PC-12.

Construction of the second prototype (Advanced Demonstrator - ADM) is currently underway, and this will be used to test weapons and sensors, mission equipment and other hardware as the first prototype is being used mainly for handling tests. The ADM model will be finished around the end of this year and undergo flight testing from the second quarter of next year, according to programme leader Paul Potgieter Junior.

Aircraft could be delivered from the end of next year. Initially production will probably stand at four to eight in the first year then three to five a month after that as production ramps up. Production will take place at a new dedicated factory. Paramount is in advanced discussions with a number of potential customers and has started marketing the aircraft.

“AHRLAC is a home grown, world class capability that will enable developing countries and advanced nations to strengthen and diversify their security infrastructure. It offers the global industry a new, very cost effective and multi-role solution that will change the way global air forces procure and structure their air fleets. AHRLAC is a solution shaped for today’s modern threats like insurgencies, piracy, poaching and terrorism,” Ichikowitz said.

Paramount said the aircraft can perform tasks previously carried out by four separately configured aircraft, as it integrates designs from attack helicopters, surveillance platforms and reconnaissance aircraft with the ability to carry surveillance, weapons, radar and electronic warfare systems.

AHRLAC has been designed for both civilian and military missions and can be configured for a variety of roles due to its innovative interchangeable mission pod. Roles include patrol and reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, close air support, training, cargo and light attack. “This enables the aircraft for multi-role uses which include disaster management, internal security, border control, maritime patrol and environmental protection,” Paramount said.

Aerosud Managing Director Dr Paul Potgieter said the AHRlAC was designed as a low cost homeland security solution. “To compete with the best in the world we had to apply the very latest technology to find that competitive edge, starting with using the very latest digital design and manufacturing techniques.” Potgieter said he believed the AHRLAC is the most detailed CATIA design ever undertaken in this category, with every part, down to the rivets and screws, being designed digitally. This resulted in the aircraft being built without jigs, saving time and cost.

Potgieter told journalists during a briefing at Wonderboom that four features of the AHRLAC stand out. The pusher propeller configuration allows for an unobstructed forward view, for pilots, sensors and weapons, and also allows for jet-like pilot training, something that has attracted a lot of interest. Other highlights include the interchangeable payload pod, the six hardpoints on the wings and the rugged landing gear that allows for operation on unprepared airstrips.

The AHRLAC is being developed by Paramount with Aerosud as the prime contractor, but the project also involves local and international suppliers. Global suppliers include Pratt & Whitney (PT6 engine), Cobham (antennae/communications) and Zeiss (electro-optical equipment. Local suppliers will include Paramount Advanced Technologies, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and Denel (which will supply weapons like the Mokopa missile, amongst other items).

During a post-flight media briefing, Ichikowitz said the AHRLAC reinvented the way aircraft are developed and produced, not just in South Africa but around the world. “This is without doubt a truly historic moment in the South African aerospace and aviation industry. What we have witnessed today has relevance for the whole country and the continent.”

Ichikowitz said that the aerospace and defence industries are often a prime driver of economic growth and the innovation that comes with it and that the South African defence industry has long been an innovator. “This project shows this industry is still alive and well. AHRLAC is exciting but what is going to happen around ARHLAC is very exciting. It marks the rebirth of a dormant industry – that is what is exciting for me…One of the challenges we have on this continent is we still suffer from self-doubt – this project proves we can build things that have been designed in Africa for African conditions.”

“Watch this space,” Ichikowitz told journalists. “This is just the beginning as more can be expected from AHRLAC, Paramount and South Africa.”

12 août 2014 Romandie.com (AFP)

Bamako - Au moins trois présumés jihadistes ont été récemment arrêtés près de Tombouctou, dans le nord du Mali, par des militaires de l'opération française Barkhane, a appris mardi l'AFP de sources concordantes.

Trois terroristes appartenant à Aqmi (Al-Qaïda au Maghreb islamique, NDLR) ont été arrêtés par les hommes de l'opération Barkhane au cours d'une opération le 10 août près de Tombouctou, a déclaré à l'AFP une source au sein de la communication de la force française.

C'est la première prise depuis l'installation de l'opération Barkhane qui a pris la suite de Serval, a souligné cette source, ajoutant que les trois suspects formaient une cellule dans le secteur.

Contacté par l'AFP, le ministère français de la Défense a confirmé que trois hommes suspectés d'appartenir à Aqmi ont été arrêtés sans violences par les hommes de l'opération Barkhane.

Conformément aux accords en vigueur, ils seront remis aux autorités maliennes dès leur acheminement à Bamako, a-t-on précisé.

De son côté, une source malienne a fait état de l'arrestation de quatre jihadistes présumés.

Quatre personnes considérées comme des jihadistes ont été arrêtées près de Tombouctou par les forces françaises au cours d'une opération militaire spectaculaire, a indiqué à l'AFP une source sécuritaire malienne, évoquant l'engagement d'hélicoptères et un travail de renseignement très efficace.

Nous nous attendons à recevoir des mains des Français ces terroristes, a-t-elle ajouté sous le couvert de l'anonymat, précisant que parmi eux se trouvaient des Touareg.

Une source militaire proche de la Mission de l'ONU au Mali (Minusma) a salué une efficace opération française qui a permis de mettre la main sur des terroristes près de Tombouctou.

Parmi eux figure un proche de l'Algérien Yéyia Abou Hamame, chef d'Aqmi au Sahel, a-t-on précisé.

Yéyia Abou Hamame est considéré comme un proche du Malien Iyad Ag Ghali, chef d'Ansar Dine, un des groupes jihadistes chassés du nord du Mali par une intervention militaire internationale lancée en janvier 2013 à l'initiative de la France.

L'opération française Serval a été remplacée en juillet par Barkhane, à vocation plus vaste et durable, sur l'ensemble de la zone sahélo-saharienne.

Iyad Ag Ghali, demeuré silencieux depuis plus d'un an et demi, est apparu dans une vidéo diffusée récemment sur internet dans laquelle il appelle à combattre la France et ses alliés.

Aug 10, 2014 Spacewar.com (AFP)

German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel is raising hackles among conservatives in the coalition government with plans to tighten rules on arms exports, amid tit-for-tat sanctions between the West and Russia.

"If you're not very careful, (selling arms abroad) can very quickly become a deal with death," Gabriel, who is also vice chancellor, warned recently on public television.

Normally, the position of deputy chancellor is largely a symbolic one.

But Gabriel, a Social Democrat, is taking advantage of the absence on holiday of conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel to lobby publicly for a topic close to his heart.

Exporting arms was already an issue for his Social Democratic Party (SPD) during last year's general election campaign, but with the crisis in Ukraine, it has taken on added currency.

Gabriel believes that European sanctions against Moscow do not go far enough, and last week he blocked a major contract for German company Rheinmetall to provide a fully-equipped training camp to Russia.

The minister is not looking to change Germany's current laws on arms exports.

But he wants the authorities to be much more watchful when awarding export licences, particularly with regard to the country buying the weapons and their record on human rights.

- A discreet industry -

In 2013, Merkel's previous administration authorised 5.8 billion euros' ($7.8 billion) worth of arms exports, 62 percent of which were destined for non-NATO countries such as Algeria, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, with Gabriel particularly concerned about the latter.

But the minister's plan, seen by some as an attempt to reach out to the opposition Greens and far-left Linke party in the distant eventuality of a post-Merkel alliance, is rattling some conservatives.

The head of the Christian Social Union (CSU) party, Horst Seehofer, accused Gabriel of acting "without a concept and without a compass" and of endangering jobs.

"German companies will disappear from the market or relocate abroad," he warned.

The CSU is the Bavarian sister party of Merkel's Christian Democratic Union and the wealthy southern state is home to companies such as Airbus Defence and Space, tank maker Krauss Maffei Wegmann -- which plans to tie-up with French rival Nexter -- and guided missile maker Diehl.

Germany's defence industry is tight-lipped about its actual sales, preferring instead to publish its output.

In 2011, the most recent data available, the sector's output amounted to 22.6 billion euros.

It employs nearly 100,000 people directly while more than 200,000 are employed by sub-contractors and suppliers.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Germany is the world's third-biggest exporter of arms, after the United States and Russia.

Germany's own security and defence industry federation, BDSV, is more modest.

"We're definitely among the top 10," a spokesman said.

But according to the business daily Handelsblatt, weapons is one area where Germans are not proud of their export prowess.

- Fervent plea -

But in addition to exports of tanks or missiles, pacifists are angry about exports of small arms, such as the guns and pistols made by Heckler & Koch, which has annual sales of more than 200 million euros.

In a fervent plea to ban arms exports, former chancellor Helmut Schmidt described smaller hand-held weapons such as machine guns and hand grenades as "today's weapons of mass destruction".

Generally speaking, "I think it's perverse to send weapons instead of soldiers," he said.

Gabriel's SPD party colleague, Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, has for months been calling for Germany to become more directly involved in the resolution of international conflict hotspots.

As for the industry itself, "we would like the government to tell us what its position is," BDSV chief Georg Wilhelm Adamowitsch said recently.

Last week, defence technology group Rheinmetall issued a profit warning in the wake of Gabriel's decision to block its Russian contract, sending its shares sharply lower on the stock market.

Gabriel is to meet labour representatives of some of the market players in mid-August.

11 August 2014 by defenceWeb

Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM) has signed a memorandum of understanding with PT Pindad to produce ammunition ranging from 30 to 105 mm for the Indonesian military as well as export customers.

The agreement was signed in the Indonesia capital Jakarta on August 7, local media reported. The agreement will see RDM and Pindad form a joint venture in 2015 to construct a 168 hectare facility in Malang, East Java, to manufacture ammunition.

Read full article

5 August 2014 airforce-technology.com

The Nigerian Air Force is planning to complete the development of an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) that can detonate high-calibre improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

The speedy completion of the robot has been hampered by a lack of adequate funds.

Developed by the Nigerian Airforce Institute of Technology (Nafit), the UGV is claimed to be the first of its type on the African continent.

Nafit commandant Toni Adokwe was quoted by the Nigerian Tribune as saying that the robot is expected to enhance the success of security agents in the fight against rebellion.

Adokwe said: "When the project is completed, the robot would go a long way in countering activities of terrorist groups, as detonation of bombs will not require the physical presence of a human being at the scene."

Nafit developed the Gulma unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) last year, which is being used by the defence headquarters for surveillance and intelligence gathering in crisis-prone regions.

Developed in collaboration with Cranfield University's aerospace engineers, the indigenous drone can be modified for aerial imaging/mapping, telecommunications and weather monitoring missions, among others.

The Nigerian Air Force has also manufactured Amebo I, II and III UAVs in the last two years for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations.

Adokwe said that the allocation of proper funding would enable Nigeria to attain higher base in military aviation and defence-related technology.

Established in 1979, Nafit conducts research and offers postgraduate engineering programmes in aerospace, aeronautical and allied sectors.

02/08/2014 Pana

Bujumbura, Burundi - La Marine burundaise a réceptionné, jeudi, un don matériel composé de 21 moteurs pour vedettes rapides de la part du gouvernement américain pour faciliter les patrouilles sur le lac Tanganyika, apprend-on de source sécuritaire à Bujumbura.

Les militaires burundais n’étaient pas jusque-là suffisamment outillés pour faire face aux cas de vol de moteurs et leurs accessoires, de téléphones portables et d’argent sur les pêcheurs par des pirates et autres bandes armées organisées qui sévissent fréquemment sur le Lac Tanganyika.

Selon le ministre burundais de la Défense nationale et des Anciens combattants, le général Pontien Gaciyubwenge, avec l'appui des Américains, la donne va changer en ce qui concerne la navigation sur le très stratégique Lac Tanganyika qui sert également de transport de personnes et de marchandises aussi bien à l’importation qu’à l’exportation.

Le lac sert de frontière naturelle et poreuse par endroits entre le Burundi et ses voisins de la République démocratique du Congo, de la Tanzanie et de la Zambie, sur une superficie de plus de 30.000 kilomètres carrés.

Au-delà de cette aide ponctuelle, les Américains apportent encore de l’expertise et des moyens matériels à la force de défense nationale quand il s’agit de se préparer et de déployer des contingents dans des missions de maintien de la paix à l’étranger, comme en Somalie et en République centrafricaine.