Chinese Military Systems in African Service
Chinese-made equipment serves in at least a dozen African armed forces, from Nigerian VT-4 tanks and Algerian corvettes to Ghanaian helicopters and Namibian transports. This gallery covers nine non-drone systems with verified African operators, using one identical card for each.
DEFENCE MENA | Africa defence gallery | Data as of September 2026
Photo: JF-17 Thunder fighter at the Paris Air Show 2019. Credit: Ibex73, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Chinese suppliers are best known in Africa for armed drones, but the range of Chinese military equipment in Africa is wider: tanks, artillery, warships, helicopters and transport aircraft have been sold to states in the north, west, east and south of the continent for decades. This gallery sets out which Chinese systems African forces actually operate, and how much of each is confirmed. Armed drones are covered separately in the military drones gallery, and Sahel armoured vehicles in the MRAP gallery.
How we selected these systems
The nine systems are not ranked. They are grouped by domain (land, sea, then air) and each is included because at least one African state is reported to operate it or to have taken delivery of it. Drones, MRAPs, air defence systems, patrol vessels and armed trainers are covered in other DefenceMENA galleries and are left out here. Operator lists come from defenceWeb, Military Africa, Army Recognition and reference works; where a state appears in only one source, the card marks it as reported. Quantities are given only where a source states them, and an order is not treated as a delivery.
Key facts
- Nigeria is the only African operator of the VT-4 and the only confirmed African operator of the JF-17 in this gallery.
- Algeria operates the three Chinese-built C28A corvettes and one Type 056 corvette, the largest Chinese-built warships in African service.
- Nigeria received VT-4, ST1 and SH-5 vehicles in one 17-vehicle shipment in April 2020 under a contract reported at about $152 million.
- Namibia took the first two export Y-9E transports in November 2024.
- Published counts vary for Morocco’s VT-1A tanks, from 54 to 150.
Who operates what: overview
| System | Origin | Category | Reported African users |
|---|---|---|---|
| VT-4 | China | Main battle tank | Nigeria |
| VT-1A (MBT-2000) | China | Main battle tank | Morocco (54 to 150 reported) |
| ST1 | China | Wheeled tank destroyer | Nigeria; Gabon reported |
| PLZ-45 | China | 155 mm self-propelled howitzer | Algeria (about 50 seen in 2014) |
| SH-15 (PCL-181) | China | 155 mm truck-mounted howitzer | Ethiopia (at least 32 reported) |
| C28A Adhafer class | China | Corvette | Algeria (3) |
| JF-17 Thunder | Pakistan / China | Multirole fighter | Nigeria (3) |
| Harbin Z-9 | China | Multirole helicopter | Ghana, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Mali, Namibia and others |
| Y-12 / Y-9 | China | Light and medium transport | Namibia, Mali, Zambia, Tanzania and others |
1. VT-4 main battle tank
| Manufacturer | Norinco (China North Industries Corporation) |
|---|---|
| Origin | China |
| Category | Main battle tank |
| African operator(s) | Nigeria |
| Status | Nigeria: first batch delivered on 8 April 2020 as part of a 17-vehicle shipment that also included ST1 and SH-5 vehicles, under a contract reported at about $152 million signed in 2019. Use against Boko Haram was reported from January 2021, and a second batch was reported in May 2022 as en route. Quantities are not officially published and reference figures vary |
| Key specifications | About 52 tonnes, three-man crew, 125 mm smoothbore gun, 1,200 hp diesel, road speed 70 km/h, range about 500 km (published figures vary) |
| Why it matters in Africa | Nigeria is the only African operator of the VT-4 identified in published sources. The type sits at the top of a Nigerian armoured fleet that otherwise mixes British Vickers and Soviet-era designs, and it was bought for the north-east campaign rather than a conventional war. |
| Sources | defenceWeb, Nigerian military receives tanks, artillery from China (April 2020) ; Military Africa, Nigerian Army receives new VT4 MBT, ST1 light tanks and SH-5 self-propelled howitzers (April 2020) ; Army Recognition, Nigerian army to receive second batch of Norinco VT-4 tanks (May 2022) ; Wikipedia, VT-4 (specifications; discovery only) |
Country files: Nigerian Army weapons and equipment, Nigeria military strength
2. VT-1A (MBT-2000) main battle tank
| Manufacturer | Norinco (China North Industries Corporation) |
|---|---|
| Origin | China |
| Category | Main battle tank |
| African operator(s) | Morocco |
| Status | Morocco: the purchase was reported in August 2010, with deliveries listed for 2011 to 2013. Published quantities disagree: one compilation gives 150 tanks, others list 54 in service, and there is no official figure |
| Key specifications | About 49 tonnes, three-man crew, 125 mm gun with autoloader, 1,200 hp diesel, road speed 70 km/h, road range about 450 km; composite armour with reactive armour blocks |
| Why it matters in Africa | China’s only main battle tank in North African service in the sources found. Morocco fields it beside US-supplied M60 tanks and Soviet-origin T-72s, which makes the Moroccan tank park one of the most mixed on the continent. |
| Sources | Far-Maroc, Purchase: VT-1A / MBT-2000 for Morocco (2011) ; Wikipedia, Al-Khalid tank (MBT-2000 operators; discovery only) |
Related: Main battle tanks of Arab armies in 2026
3. ST1 wheeled tank destroyer
| Manufacturer | Norinco (China North Industries Corporation) |
|---|---|
| Origin | China |
| Category | 8×8 wheeled 105 mm tank destroyer (export version of the Type 08 family) |
| African operator(s) | Nigeria; Gabon reported |
| Status | Nigeria: delivered on 8 April 2020 in the same 17-vehicle shipment as the VT-4; the number of ST1 vehicles has not been published. Gabon is listed as an operator in a single reference and is not confirmed by a primary source |
| Key specifications | About 24 tonnes, four-man crew, 105 mm rifled gun, 440 hp diesel, road speed 100 km/h, range about 800 km |
| Why it matters in Africa | A wheeled fire-support vehicle that Nigeria bought to move quickly across long road distances in the north-east. The same shipment carried SH-5 105 mm 6×6 self-propelled howitzers, with a reported range of about 18 km. |
| Sources | Military Africa, Nigerian Army receives new VT4 MBT, ST1 light tanks and SH-5 self-propelled howitzers (April 2020) ; defenceWeb, Nigerian military receives tanks, artillery from China (April 2020) ; Army Recognition, ST1 (Type 08) specifications |
Country file: Nigerian Army weapons and equipment
4. PLZ-45 self-propelled howitzer
| Manufacturer | Norinco (China North Industries Corporation) |
|---|---|
| Origin | China |
| Category | 155 mm self-propelled howitzer |
| African operator(s) | Algeria |
| Status | Algeria: about 50 vehicles were photographed in a convoy outside Algiers in January 2014, each with an armoured ammunition carrier. No contract date or value has been published |
| Key specifications | 155 mm, about 33 tonnes, five-man crew, range 24 to 39 km depending on ammunition, sustained fire 2 rounds per minute and maximum 5 rounds per minute |
| Why it matters in Africa | Gives Algeria a tracked 155 mm gun in NATO calibre alongside its Russian-origin artillery. Kuwait and Saudi Arabia were the earlier export customers, so Algeria is the only African army with a confirmed fleet of this type in the sources found. |
| Sources | defenceWeb, Algeria acquires Chinese artillery, evaluating UAVs (January 2014) ; Wikipedia, PLZ-45 (specifications; discovery only) |
Related: Egypt and Algeria military power compared
5. SH-15 (PCL-181) truck-mounted howitzer
| Manufacturer | Norinco (China North Industries Corporation) |
|---|---|
| Origin | China |
| Category | 155 mm 6×6 truck-mounted self-propelled howitzer |
| African operator(s) | Ethiopia |
| Status | Ethiopia: at least 32 reported by Military Africa in January 2023. The figure is not confirmed by an official Ethiopian source, and the reported unit cost of about $2.1 million is an estimate based on Pakistani pricing |
| Key specifications | 155 mm gun-howitzer, NATO-compatible ammunition, range up to 53 km with rocket-assisted projectiles; the truck chassis is self-deploying and can be airlifted |
| Why it matters in Africa | The newest Chinese artillery type in African service in this gallery. Its export customers reported so far are Pakistan and Ethiopia, and it represents a move from tracked to wheeled 155 mm guns. |
| Sources | Military Africa, Ethiopia buys Chinese SH-15 (PCL-181) artillery (January 2023) ; Wikipedia, PCL-181 (discovery only) |
6. C28A (Adhafer-class) corvette
| Manufacturer | Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (CSSC) |
|---|---|
| Origin | China |
| Category | Corvette |
| African operator(s) | Algeria |
| Status | Algeria: three ordered in 2012. Adhafer (920) arrived in Algeria in November 2015, El Fateh (921) was commissioned on 10 March 2016 and the third ship was delivered later in 2016. Algeria then ordered one Type 056 corvette, El Moutassadi (940), which arrived in April 2023 |
| Key specifications | About 120 m long, about 2,800 tonnes, 27 knots, one 76 mm gun, FM-90N launcher with HQ-7 surface-to-air missiles, YJ-82 (C-802) anti-ship missiles; Thales Smart-S Mk 2 radar fitted in Algeria |
| Why it matters in Africa | The largest Chinese-built warships in African service. The Type 056 order followed, but reports say Algeria has shifted plans for further ships to domestic construction. |
| Sources | defenceWeb, Algerian Navy takes delivery of Chinese-built corvette ; defenceWeb, Algeria receives third C28A corvette (2016) ; Military Africa, Algerian Type 056 corvette El Moutassadi (940) arrives home from China (March 2023) ; Shephard, Algeria signals a shift to domestic shipbuilding for Type 056 corvettes |
Related: Egypt and Algeria military power compared
7. JF-17 Thunder
| Manufacturer | Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), with Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group |
|---|---|
| Origin | Pakistan / China (joint development) |
| Category | Single-engine multirole fighter |
| African operator(s) | Nigeria |
| Status | Nigeria: three JF-17s delivered between March and April 2021 (serials NAF720 to NAF722) and formally accepted at Makurdi on 21 May 2021. The contract was backed by a $184.3 million Pakistani sovereign guarantee approved in 2018. Published sources do not show further Nigerian orders |
| Key specifications | Single Klimov RD-93 turbofan, Mach 1.6, seven hardpoints for up to about 1,500 kg of ordnance, KLJ-7 radar on later blocks |
| Why it matters in Africa | Nigeria is the only African JF-17 operator reported. The aircraft came from Pakistan’s production line, not from China, and was intended to complement the ageing F-7Ni fleet. |
| Sources | defenceWeb, Nigerian JF-17 deliveries apparently complete (2021) ; Defense News, Pakistan delivers JF-17 fighters to Nigerian Air Force (May 2021) ; Military Africa, No additional Thunders for Nigeria (November 2021) |
Country file: Nigerian Air Force aircraft inventory
8. Harbin Z-9
| Manufacturer | Harbin Aircraft Industry Group (AVIC) |
|---|---|
| Origin | China |
| Category | Twin-engine multirole helicopter (licence-built Dauphin derivative) |
| African operator(s) | Ghana, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Mali, Namibia, Zambia, Mauritania, Cameroon, Djibouti (several reported without quantities) |
| Status | Ghana: four Z-9EH delivered by June 2015. Kenya: four Z-9W received in 2010 to 2011. Equatorial Guinea: two Z-9WE shown in April 2024. Other operators are listed in reference works without published quantities |
| Key specifications | Z-9B: one or two pilots, up to 10 passengers or 1,900 kg payload, maximum speed 305 km/h, maximum take-off weight 4,100 kg; armed Z-9W and Z-9WE variants carry nose-mounted electro-optics and weapon hardpoints |
| Why it matters in Africa | The most widely spread Chinese military helicopter in Africa. The armed W-series gives smaller air forces a surveillance and light strike aircraft, which Equatorial Guinea tied to Gulf of Guinea piracy. |
| Sources | defenceWeb, Ghana confirms Super Tucano, Z-9 acquisitions (2015) ; defenceWeb, Equatorial Guinea acquires Z-9WE helicopters from China (April 2024) ; Wikipedia, Harbin Z-9 (operators and specifications; discovery only) |
9. Harbin Y-12 and Shaanxi Y-9
| Manufacturer | Harbin Aircraft Industry Group (Y-12); Shaanxi Aircraft Company (Y-9), both AVIC |
|---|---|
| Origin | China |
| Category | Light utility transport (Y-12) and medium tactical transport (Y-9) |
| African operator(s) | Y-12: Namibia, Mali, Tanzania, Zambia, Kenya, Djibouti, Eritrea, Mauritania, Ghana (reference lists). Y-9E: Namibia |
| Status | Namibia: two Y-12 in service, plus two Y-9E delivered in November 2024 and handed over on 16 December 2024, the first export sale of the Y-9. Mali: a Y-12 reported in 2017, with sources giving one or two aircraft. Zambia: its first two Y-12 were delivered in 1995. Quantities for other Y-12 operators are not published |
| Key specifications | Y-12 II: 17 passengers, maximum take-off weight 5,300 kg, two Pratt and Whitney Canada PT6A-27 turboprops, cruise about 292 km/h, range about 1,340 km |
| Why it matters in Africa | Low-cost airlift that has been in African service for three decades. Namibia’s Y-9E purchase shows Chinese transport sales moving from light utility aircraft to a larger tactical type. |
| Sources | defenceWeb, Namibia acquires Y-9 transport aircraft from China (January 2025) ; Military Africa, Malian Air Force to receive new Harbin Y-12 transport planes (September 2017) ; The Aviation Geek Club, Ferrying two Y-12s to Zambia ; Wikipedia, Harbin Y-12 (operators and specifications; discovery only) |
Methodology note
Specifications are manufacturer or reference-work figures and differ between sources, especially weights, ranges and quantities. Status labels follow the source: a delivery is not an operational unit, and an order is not a delivery. Wikipedia was used only to find candidate operators and specifications; operator claims were checked against defenceWeb, Military Africa or Army Recognition where possible. The JF-17 is a Pakistani-built aircraft co-developed with China and is included for that reason. The list is not exhaustive: other Chinese types, including armoured personnel carriers, trainers, air defence systems and small arms, are also in African service.
Image credits
- Featured image: JF-17 Thunder, Ibex73, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
- Cards 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9: Wikimedia Commons, credited under each photograph. The photographs for cards 2, 4 and 7 show the same type in other countries or a Pakistani aircraft, as stated in the captions.
- Cards 3 and 5 have no photograph because no reusable image was available.
Further reading: Turkish vs Chinese drones in Africa: why some states buy both (Envanter Medya) and Bayraktar TB2 vs Wing Loong II vs CH-4 on DefenceMENA.
