russia has announced the delivery of what it describes as a "large batch of military aid" to Madagascar, where a Kremlin-friendly government is currently in power. This "large batch" reportedly includes an unspecified quantity of soldier equipment, as well as two BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles with ammunition intended for training purposes.
The inclusion of just two BMP-3s under the label of a "large" delivery invites an ironic interpretation, essentially as equipment "to be broken or sunk" during training. At the same time, it raises the question of how significant such a transfer may appear from the perspective of Madagascar's armed forces.
Read more: russia Sends Missile Corvette and Kalibr-Capable Submarine to Indonesia Amid Earlier Plans for Tu-95MS Base
According to open-source data, Madagascar's ground forces number around 12,000 personnel, organized into 12 infantry brigades, three engineering regiments, and one artillery regiment. Their equipment includes 12 PT-76 amphibious light tanks, 35 BRDM-2 armored reconnaissance vehicles, and up to 40 wheeled armored vehicles of various types, as well as 12 D-30 howitzers, five M101 howitzers, and several 81 mm and 120 mm mortars.
Available air defense assets reportedly consist of around 50 ZPU-4 systems and 20 PG-55 37 mm anti-aircraft guns. Combat aviation is effectively nonexistent. The country's air fleet includes 21 light aircraft, mostly from the Cessna family, three SA318C Alouette II helicopters, three AS350 Écureuil helicopters, and one BK117.
At the same time, the actual combat readiness of this equipment remains highly questionable. Open-source imagery suggests that the 12 PT-76 tanks listed on paper may in reality be non-operational hulks, lacking tracks and apparently left without maintenance for extended periods.
PT-76 light tanks of the Madagascar Armed Forces in quite poor, close to scrap condition around the 2010s. Madagascar received 12 such light tanks in the 1980s. pic.twitter.com/LDd8HMBdJk— B-AREV (@trip_to_valkiri) January 27, 2025
It is also important to consider that, with a population of nearly 30 million, Madagascar maintains a defense budget of roughly $100 million per year. On average, each infantry brigade has only a handful of heavy weapons at its disposal.
Against this backdrop, even the transfer of just two BMP-3s from russia may be perceived locally as a significant gesture, despite appearing negligible or even ironic by the standards of larger-scale conflicts.
Earlier, Defense Express reported on what russia gains from selling up to six Yak-130 aircraft and possibly Orion UAVs to Ethiopia, as well as how many years it took russia to deliver six Su-30SME fighters to Myanmar under its most recent "legal" export contract, financed by a $400 million loan.
The 413th Raid Regiment of the Unmanned Systems Forces is currently raising funds to support its anti-air UAV unit. Donations can be made via the following details:
Jar link: https://send.monobank.ua/jar/5dZxSu9x4B
Card number: 4874 1000 2019 7854
Ivan Kyrychevskyi, serviceman of the 413th Raid Regiment of the Unmanned Systems Forces of Ukraine and weapons expert at Defense Express.
Read more: russia’s $47M Deal with India for 2S6 Tunguska Systems Allegedly Covers Spare Parts Only
