Military personnel from 28 African and Western countries have started the US Africa Command’s Flintlock 2015 exercise, in N’Djamena, Chad.

The exercise features more than 1,200 soldiers from Burkina Faso, Denmark, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Mauritania, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Senegal, Spain, Mali, Czech Republic, Estonia and Lithuania, as well as the UK and the US.

With outstations in several other countries, including Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon and Tunisia, Flintlock 2015 comes at a time when several African countries are fighting against the Nigerian insurgent group Boko Haram.

"This exercise, to a large extent, can be considered a warm-up to enable our special forces to learn techniques in the fight against terrorism."

Flintlock 2015 director Chadian brigadier general Zakaria Ngobongue was quoted by Reuters as saying: "This exercise, to a large extent, can be considered a warm-up to enable our special forces to learn techniques in the fight against terrorism."

An undisclosed US military spokesperson said the exercise involves participation from more than 250 US personnel and includes intelligence-sharing, training for patrols and desert survival techniques, as well as airborne operations and small-unit tactics.

The US military will leave its communications equipment in Chad the drill in an effort to improve communications among regional armies, the spokesperson added.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Scheduled to conclude on 9 March, Flintlock 2015 aims to help build relationships to reinforce the capacity of participating militaries to secure a stable environment for growth and development.

Conducted by Special Operations Command Forward-West Africa since 2005, it seeks to improve information sharing at the operational and tactical levels across the Saharan region, while improving collaboration and coordination among African, Western and US counter-terrorism forces.