Tanzania is currently hosting what appears to be the largest ever Chinese military deployment to Sub-Saharan Africa for Exercise ‘Peace Unity (Amani Umoja) 2024′. The Chinese, Mozambican and Tanzanian militaries are currently holding the Peace Unity 2024 joint exercise in Tanzania, which focuses on counter-terror military operations.
The exercise kicked off on 29 July at the Comprehensive Training Centre (CTC) in Mapinga near Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. The Chinese contingent participating in the Peace Unity 2024 exercise encompasses ground units dispatched by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Central Theatre Command and a naval flotilla sent by the PLA Southern Theatre Command, according to the Chinese state media Global Times. The sea drills are scheduled to conclude on August 5th, while the land drills will wrap up on the 11th.
The ground units sent to Tanzania consist of highly trained troops from the 82nd Group Army, an information and communication regiment, and a military hospital. These troops specialise in assault, reconnaissance, intelligence, special operations, information support, and logistics. They are equipped with advanced armoured vehicles, self-propelled guns, and other heavy equipment.
The PLA forces arrived in Tanzania by both sea and air. The PLA Navy dispatched two Type 071 landing ships, the Wuzhishan and Qilianshan, and a Type 052D guided missile destroyer, the Hefei. Additionally, the PLA Air Force utilized Y-20 strategic transport aircraft. Notably, this deployment is believed to be the first use of the new Y-20 transport aircraft for bringing troops and equipment to East Africa, reported Military Africa.
Chinese television coverage featured the Type 071 amphibious assault ships Wuzhi Shan (987) and Qilian Shan (985) docking at Dar es Salaam’s commercial port alongside the Type 052D destroyer Hefei (174). Additionally, the coverage showed more troops arriving at Dar es Salaam’s airport on a J-20 transport aircraft.
The Peace Unity 2024 marks Tanzania and China’s fourth joint military exercise. Previous exercises occurred in 2014, 2019/20, and September 2023. In 2016, China and Mozambique signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and Co-operation Agreement aimed at strengthening contacts between the two countries’ army, police, and intelligence services. China also committed to enhancing Mozambique’s defence capacity as part of the agreement, reported AIM.
The Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania, Chen Mingjian, said, “We anticipate that these exercises will strengthen our military capabilities and foster closer ties with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. Our cooperation has expanded from military training to equipment sharing. The three naval ship missions in Tanzania are a testament to it. We will always work together as we set out new heights”.
China Military Political Work in Progress
China sees conducting professional military joint exercises in Africa as an opportunity to promote China’s governance model and to strengthen its ties with Africa’s ruling political parties. It’s worth noting that three PLA Navy ships, including the guided missile destroyer Hefei and the amphibious dock landing ships Qilianshan and Wuzhishan, have carried a large contingent of ground troops, armour, artillery, and heavy equipment to Tanzania/Mozambique. It clearly demonstrates China’s “far seas protection” capabilities and power projection. Additionally, the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation summit is scheduled to take place in September 2024.
Team BharatShakti
