HVW Case studies

High Value Weapons Packages
Introduction
The Central African Republic faces a dire security situation. Despite the presence of United Nations
and French peacekeepers in the country and democratic elections, the armed forces remain
unarmed and Bangui maintains little authority outside of the immediate vicinity of the capital. As
such the re-armament of the FACA by the new government is key to securing the CAR. The following
paper will discuss our recommended armaments packages based on both a defensive or offensive
scenario as well as 3 separate annual acquisitions budgets of 5, 10 and 20 million USD since the
CAR’s acquisition budget is yet to be determined. The packages are based on availability to the CAR,
ease of operation/maintenance, efficacy, and cost. We also move forward under the assumption
that the FACA has none of these high-value weapons systems already and with the caveat that our
data tends for the unit cost of these systems new or like-new. Used and dated systems will tend to
be less expensive than their original cost but those in charge of procurement should be aware of the
tradeoff in the quality and durability of used systems.
The Defensive Scenario
The defensive scenario as it relates to the CAR is one in which one or several of the various internal
actors launch an attack on government-controlled territory in an attempt to seize power within a
year or two of the UN forces withdrawing from the CAR. The assumptions of this scenario are as
follows:
1. Enemy forces have few or no heavily armored vehicles (Tanks or Infantry Fighting Vehicles)
or aircraft due to the lack of availability or lack of financial resources and logistical resources
associated with operating such systems.
2. Enemy forces are largely comprised of irregular fighters
3. Government forces are in control of the capital and airport
4. There is not necessarily enough time to train the FACA in the use of advanced weapons
systems effectively or even acquire those systems by the time they are attacked
The defensive scenario is a situation in which several weapons systems that would be of limited use
to the FACA in an offensive scenario have increased utility. Defense means that mobility and logistics
are less of a concern, making tracked vehicles and towed weapons systems more viable. Tanks are
more useful in this scenario relative to armored cars because of their greater armor and firepower.
Towed systems such as the Type 63 MRL and the T12 AT gun are more viable as they do not need to
be transported long distances by vehicle in this scenario. The use of private military contractors to
operate systems such as the Mil MI-24 Hind attack helicopter would be preferable as the FACA
would presumably not have enough time to train local pilots or ground crews. The use of fixed-wing
aircraft in a ground attack role is also of limited effectiveness as they tend to be very expensive and
not adequately protected against the inevitable 12.7mm Anti-Aircraft Machine Guns. Furthermore
the limit of fixed-wing aircraft to takeoffs and landings from airfields means that a loss of Bangui
airport would prevent the use of fixed-wing aircraft.
Given this scenario, we recommend a series of light and towed weapons as well as inexpensive
armored vehicles, whose proportion and quantity vary depending on the size of the budget and
logistical capacity of the FACA.

$5 million annual acquisitions budget
A budget this small for arming the FACA means an increased focus on crew-served light weapons
and rocket artillery over a large amount of armored vehicles. Systems such as Recoilless Rifles,
Automatic Grenade Launchers, and Heavy Machine Guns are inexpensive enough to purchase en
masse, common enough to acquire quickly, and simple enough for the FACA to quickly adopt and
integrate them into their armed forces. Similarly, anti-aircraft systems such as the ZPU and ZSU-23
remain fairly common in the region and can engage ground targets to fulfil a fire-support role. These
light systems all have well-documented histories of being attached to a civilian vehicle for increased
mobility at a low price relative to a military vehicle.
In addition the T-55 Main Battle Tank, BRDM-2 Scout Car, Eland mk.7 Armored Car, and BTR 60
armored vehicles provide a moderate amount of mobility, fire support, and reconnaissance
capabilities. Each of these systems is common to the region, famously reliable, and old enough to be
inexpensive relative to newer systems.
In terms of artillery the Chinese towed 107mm Type 63 Multiple Rocket Launcher and 81mm
mortars are both inexpensive enough to deploy in large numbers and of large enough calibers to
disrupt an assault by irregular forces. Despite their common appearance in the region, 60mm
mortars are largely ineffective unless used in very large numbers or by extremely skilled operators, a
state of affairs that the FACA is unable to accomplish given the limited financial resources and time
constraints respectively. The use of a 30-40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher better fits the role a
60mm mortar would play as it has a similar effect but requires less training to operate. The type 63
can be easily mounted on a vehicle such as a civilian pickup truck if mobility is required and mortars
are light enough to be transported with relative ease. Vehicles such as the BM-21 and RM-70
122mm MRLs are slightly more expensive than type 63s and mortars but fire larger rockets a longer
distance and transport themselves, making them extremely useful beyond simply defending Bangui.
Note: prices are inflated from gathered data to reflect maintenance, transportation, ammunition, or
other miscellaneous costs. Money is also left over for either excess costs from our estimations or the
acquisition of systems we don’t have pricing for, such as the ZPU AA gun, type 63 MRL, D-30A
Howitzer, etc.

Sample Package at $5 million USD
5 T-55 MBTs: $875,000 ($175,000 ea.)
2 Eland Mk 7: $680,000 (340,000 ea.)
8 BRDM-2 Scout Cars: $360,000 ($45,000 ea.)
8 BM-21 MRLs: $400,000 ($50,000 ea.)
20 BTR 60: $1,000,000 ($50,000 ea.)
40 Heavy Machine Guns 12.7mm & 14.5mm: $480,000 ($12,000 ea.)
12 SPG-9: $180,000 ($15,000 ea.)
8 AGS-17: $200,000 ($25,000 ea.)
18 81mm Mortars: $450,000 ($25,000 ea.)

Total: $4,625,000

A $10 million acquisitions budget allows for moderate increase in the weapons systems already
listed in the $5 Million budget and can accommodate a MI-24 Hind helicopter Gunship if the
acquisition, lease, or hire of such a systems remains between 1-3 million dollars.
More armored cars such as the Eland mk.7 can be acquired to serve in both a fire support and
reconnaissance role. Additionally more T 55, BRDM-2s, and BTR 60s can be acquired, though there is
a point of diminishing returns in a defensive scenario on these systems.
More crew-served light weapons and artillery systems can be acquired and integrated fairly well, the
increased budget accommodates more BM-21s proportionally to Type 63s and larger 120mm
mortars to 81mm mortars.

Sample Package at $10 Million USD
6 T-55 MBTs: $1,050,000 ($175,000 ea.)
4 Eland Mk 7: $1,360,000 (340,000 ea.)
10 BM-21 MRLs: $400,000 ($50,000 ea.)
25 BTR 60: $1,250,000 ($50,000 ea.)
20 SPG-9: $300,000 ($15,000 ea.)
10 AGS-17: $200,000 ($25,000 ea.)
20 81mm Mortars: $500,000 ($25,000 ea.)
Mi-24 Helicopter Gunship: ~$3 million est.
Total: $9,320,000

At $20 million annually, the CAR should be able to comfortably acquire a Mi-24 Hind either through
leasing, hire, or outright purchase. A Mi-24 gunship with a competent crew has been known to be an
enormous force multiplier against irregular fighters, as was the case with an Executive Outcomes
Hind and crew severely hampered the progress of the RUF against the Liberian government in the
1990s. An extra $1,000,000 USD is allocated to an MI-24 to account for securing a higher quality
system or a better contact with crews.
At this budget drastically more T-55s could be acquired, but the more heavily armored T-72 may be a
better option as the CAR could keep the same physical number of tanks (keeping logistical costs
lower) but increase the effectiveness of their armor by having higher quality tanks. Similarly this

budget allows for a small number of IFVs, which serve to increase the firepower of the FACA and
mobility through troop transport. The higher budget also allows for the acquisition of more armored
scout cars and personnel carriers.
The number and caliber of crew served weapons and artillery also increase with this budget.
Depending on availability the FACA could acquire 122mm towed howitzers, 106mm Recoilless Rifles
over the 73mm SPG-9 Recoilless Rifle, and more 120mm mortars and rockets. The ZSU-23 anti-air
guns could also be acquired and serve a fire-support role either on a vehicle or stationary.
Between the Mi-24, larger caliber fire-support weapons, better tanks, and mobility provided by a
fleet of APCs, Scout Cars and IFVs, a $20 million acquisitions budget allows for a reasonably well-
equipped FACA in the face of an attack on the Bangui area.
Sample Package at $20 Million USD
6 T-72m MBTs: $2,400,000 ($400,000 ea.)
6 Eland Mk 7: $2,040,000 (340,000 ea.)
6 Ratel IFVs: $2,040,000 (340,000 ea.)
14 BM-21 MRLs: $600,000 ($50,000 ea.)
30 BTR 60: $1,100,000 ($50,000 ea.)
20 SPG-9: $180,000 ($15,000 ea.)
15 AGS-17: $300,000 ($25,000 ea.)
24 81mm Mortars: $600,000 ($25,000 ea.)
Mi-24 Helicopter Gunship: ~$4 million est.
Total: $15,120,000 with the remainder for Howitzers such at the D-30M, more ammunition,
unexpected costs, unforeseen needs, more expensive systems if the ideal version for the FACA’s
needs is unavailable, logistical and communications equipment, or PMCs.

The Offensive Scenario
The Offensive Scenario is one in which there is little danger of actors posing a real threat to the
CAR’s government. This could also include a scenario where the defensive scenario either ended in
the opposing force failing to gain traction or the FACA successfully defending the government and
defeating the hostile actors. In this scenario the FACA can concern itself less with defending its
territory and more on securing the rest of the CAR. They will move forward with Ziguele’s plan to
establish 6 barracks of 2,500 soldiers with 1,000 in Bangui. We will refer to each 2,500 man group as
a “regiment” as the number roughly corresponds to a modern infantry regiment. This plan of
establishing regiments in 6 major regions by 2020 emphasizes increased autonomy and rapid
reaction; and as such, more wheeled vehicles are required to adequately allow each regiment to
transport enough soldiers and firepower to meet their security needs. Wheeled IFVs, APCs, and
Armored Cars would take precedence over tanks and towed weapons as they are quicker to deploy

and less logistically challenging. Light Weapons still play an important factor in this as they can be
either carried and deployed with infantry units or mounted on military or civilian vehicles for mobile
fire support. The use of either fixed-wing or rotary-blade aircraft in fire support, transport, or
reconnaissance roles is possible, but the CAR’s logistical limitations in terms of airfields, equipment,
and finances makes operating more than a few impractical in the short term.
1. Enemy forces have few or no heavily armored vehicles (Tanks or Infantry Fighting Vehicles)
or aircraft due to the logistical cost
2. Enemy forces are irregular fighters such as the LRA or Janjaweed Militia
3. Government forces are in control of the capital and airport
4. There is no pressing threat that the forces garrisoned in Bangui could not rebuff until help
arrives
5. There is enough time to train the FACA in the effective use of advanced weapons systems

At a $5 million budget, the CAR can begin to arm the FACA with the transportation, scout cars, and
light crew-served weapons needed to establish well-equipped barracks by 2020. The focus of this
package is mobility with proportionally more Armored Personnel Carriers and weapons systems that
are easy to transport by vehicle. A few T-55’s are still recommended to bolster the forces in the
Bangui area and protect the government. An airborne unit should also be established for recon and
maybe even bombing attacks. Due to the fact that only 2 runways in the Central African Republic are
in a useable condition, the airplane has to be small, light, and capable of landing on unpaved
runways. A turboprop Cessna is the plane for the job, in this case the dual engine Cessna 404.
4 T-55 MBTs: $700,000 ($175,000 ea.)
6 BM-21 MRLs: $300,000 ($50,000 ea.)
28 BTR 60: $1,400,000 ($50,000 ea.)
10 SPG-9: $150,000 ($15,000 ea.)
8 AGS-17: $200,000 ($25,000 ea.)
14 81mm Mortars: $350,000 ($25,000 ea.)
2 Cessna 404 Titan (190,000 ea. + specifications)
Total: $4,590,000

At the $10 million budget mark the CAR can quickly begin the process of acquiring an Mi-24 gunship
and finding crews. This system will provide both fire support in operations near its base and can
transport a small number of people quickly if need be.

This price range also allows for the introduction of armored cars mounting large canons such as the
Panhard AML or the Eland Mk. 7. These systems are extremely mobile and are well suited to
counter-insurgency warfare. They also serve as reconnaissance vehicles, which is extremely
important to each regiment’s capability to gather information and maintain security for local
populations.
Mil Mi-24 Gunship ~$3,000,000
4 T-55 MBTs: $700,000 ($175,000 ea.)
2 Eland Mk 7: $680,000 (340,000 ea.)
8 BM-21 MRLs: $400,000 ($50,000 ea.)
35 BTR 60: $1,750,000 ($50,000 ea.)
14 SPG-9: $210,000 ($15,000 ea.)
12 AGS-17: $300,000 ($25,000 ea.)
21 81mm Mortars: $525,000 ($25,000 ea.)
Total: $9,230,000

At the $20 million annual acquisitions budget, the FACA can expand their fleet of armored vehicles
even further, acquire a small amount of infantry fighting vehicles to augment the firepower and
mobility of their forces, and seriously examine the acquisition of a fixed-wing turbo-prop aircraft for
reconnaissance and light attack purposes. The advantage of a small turboprop plane over a
helicopter is that the operational range is usually longer, better facilitating reconnaissance far from
the airfields currently usable. It can also serve in a ground attack role, although the lack of precision
and fragility of a turboprop plane relative to a helicopter gunship makes the mi-24 more suited to
this role.
Mil Mi-24 Gunship ~$4,000,000
Fixed Wing Aircraft ~$3,000,000
4 T-55 MBTs: $700,000 ($175,000 ea.)
6 Eland Mk 7: $2,040,000 (340,000 ea.)
28 BRDM-2 Scout Cars: $1,260,000 ($45,000 ea.)
14 BM-21 MRLs: $700,000 ($50,000 ea.)
42 BTR 60: $2,100,000 ($50,000 ea.)

8 Ratel IFVs: $2,720,000 ($340,000 ea.)
21 SPG-9: $315,000 ($15,000 ea.)
14 AGS-17: $350,000 ($25,000 ea.)
21 81mm Mortars: $525,000 ($25,000 ea.)
Total: $18,670,000

Systems Profiles
This section will provide a brief overview of each weapons system mentioned above as well as viable
alternatives if this specific system cannot be procured.

BRDM – 2 Scout Car1

The BRDM-2 is a soviet scout car from the 1960’s that remains in service in many countries. Its ease
of operation and maintenance, low cost, and speed, make it an excellent scout car and patrol
vehicle.
Viable Alternatives: EE-3 Jarcara, Ferret Scout Car, BRDM-1, Fox234

T – 55 Main Battle Tank5

The T-55 (also cloned by the People’s Republic of China as the type 59) is the most common main
battle tank in the world, and still sees regular use and production in the immediate region of the
CAR. The tank was developed in the years immediately after World War 2 by the Soviet Union and
since then Warsaw Pact countries and China have produced variants with various modifications and
in many cases sophisticated retrofitting. Its simplicity of design, ease of use and maintenance, and
reliable engine makes it a very economical tank for the Central African Republic.
Viable Alternatives: M60, T 72, Type 69, Leopard 1, T-64, TAM, AMX-306

Eland Mk. 7 Armored Car7

The Eland Mk.7 is a South African Variant of the French Panhard AML armored car, developed for
the Algerian wars in the 1950s. While there are several variants the most common boasts a 90mm
canon. These vehicles fill both a fire support and reconnaissance role and are far superior to tracked
vehicles when conducting Counter-Insurgency (COIN) Operations.
Viable Alternatives: Panhard AML 90, ERC 90 Sagaie, Denel Rooikat, AMX-10RC, Alvis Saladin, EE-9
Cascavel8

BM-21 Multiple Rocket Launcher9

The BM-21 is a 122mm Multiple Rocket Launcher situated on the back of a truck. The BM-21 is
among the most common rocket launchers available and is regularly used in African and Middle
Eastern conflicts. The size of the rocket mixed with the commonality of its ammunition makes the
system potentially useful to the FACA.
Viable alternatives: Type 63 107mm, RM-70 122mm, BM-24, Type 81 122mm10

BTR 60 Armored Personnel Carrier11

The BTR-60 APC is a soviet designed 8x8 wheeled vehicle. Most variants carry 2-3 crew members and
about 15 armed soldiers. The system is common in Warsaw Pact and developing states due to its
reliability and low cost. The system mounts a turret with a 14.5mm HMG for fire support.
Viable Alternatives: BTR-152, OT-64 SKOT, BTR-70, BTR-80, VAB, Patria Pasi, EE-11 URUTU, Panhard
M3, Panhard VCR, Fahd, Cobra, V-150 Commando12

Ratel Infantry Fighting Vehicle13

The Ratel Infantry Fighting Vehicle is a South African Wheeled Vehicle sporting a 30mm autocannon
or a 90mm cannon. It usually seats 7 troops with 3 crew however some variants such as those with a
90mm Cannon only seat 6.
Viable Alternatives: BTR-80a, Dragoon, BMP 2, WZ55114

SPG-9 Recoilless Rifle15

The SPG-9 is a Soviet-made 73mm Recoilless Rifle. The system was produced by members of the
Warsaw Pact and continues production in a number of former Warsaw Pact states as well as
developing countries. It is one of the most common Recoilless Rifles and is still regularly used in
African and Middle Eastern conflicts.
Viable Alternatives: B-11, M40, Type 7816

AGS-17 Automatic Grenade Launcher17

The AGS-17 is a 30mm Soviet Automatic Grenade Launcher first produced produced in the 1970s. It
has an effective range of 400-1700 meters, making it . Though there are few records to indicate a
significant presence of AGS-17s in the region, ammunition for this system has been found in the CAR,
indicating that some have made their way over. In addition Bulgaria and China still produce the
system. They can be fired from a tripod or attached to a vehicle.
Viable Alternatives: AGS-30, Type 8718

81mm Mortars19

The 81mm Mortar is a light artillery system that can be easily transported by its crew. The 81mm
mortar is left without a specific brand as most mortars of that caliber are extremely similar in range,
performance, and cost. In some cases vehicles have been modified to mount mortars for rapid
deployment and relocation. Typically mortars are crewed by 3 to move the system and brace it when
firing.
Viable Alternatives: 82mm Mortar, 120mm Mortar20

Mi-24 Hind21

The Mi-24 Hind Helicopter Gunship is a soviet designed attack helicopter that entered service in the
1970’s and has seen variants and modifications by its operators ever since. Its significant armor in
addition to large weapons payload, relative ease of maintenance, and capacity to carry roughly 8
passengers, makes it an ideal attack helicopter for developing states. Normally a Hind carries an
autocannon or 12.7mm Gatling-type gun, 57mm rockets, and a guided missile, although they can be
adapted to fit grenade launchers, bigger rockets, and even 250kg and 500kg bombs.
Viable Alternatives: Mi-8/17 gunship22

Cessna 404 Titan
The Cessna 404 Titan is an American factored twin-engine turboprop plane, designed for carrying
goods and people. The plane was developed during the 1970s and is still used by the United States
armed and civil forces as well as the Swedish Armed Forces. Cessna aircraft has developed 7 versions
over the years, mostly for either passenger or cargo purpose. The passenger versions are capable of

transporting up to 10 people, the cargo version can hold up to 1,6t of goods. It’s operating range is
up to 3,420 km with a cruising speed of 303 km/h.
Viable Alternative: Cessna 402, 441

1
US Army Training and Doctrine Command, “Worldwide Equipment Guide Volume 1: Ground Forces” TRADOC
December 2011: pg.4-8
2
Fox (4-12)
3
Federation of American Scientists http://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/brdm-1.htm
4
EE3 Jararaca http://www.army-guide.com/eng/product931.html Ferret http://www.army-
guide.com/eng/product968.html
5
T55 (5-19)
6
Amx-30 (5-5) Leopard 1 (5-11) M60 (5-15) T-72 (5-25-29) T-64 (5-23)
7
Eland mk.7
8
EE-9 (6-47)
9
BM-21 (7-41)
10
Type 63 (7-38)
11
BTR 60
12
BTR-80 (3-18) BTR-152 (3-21) Cobra (3-69) V-150 (3-67)
13
Ratel
14
WZ-551 (3-25) BMP-2 (3-33) BTR-80a (3-19)
15
SPG-9 (6-28)
16
B-11 (6-35)
17
AGS-17 (2-21)
18
AGS-30 (2-21) Type 87 (2-22)
19
(7-60)
20
82mm (7-60) 120mm (7-61-62)
21
US Army Training and Doctrine Command, “Worldwide Equipment Guide Volume 2: Airspace and Air
Defense Systems” TRADOC December 2011: 2-9
22
Mi 8/17 (2-17-18)

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