ARMY-PRODUCED NEW UNIBUFFELS LAND IN MALI & UNDERGO ACCLIMATIZATION TRIALS

The Army's Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineer (SLEME) troops-produced 9 modernized Unibuffels (improved version of Unicorns), one new recovery vehicle and 3 containers sent to Mali on United Nations (UN) Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) are currently undergoing trials of acclimatization in the trouble-torn tough terrains in Mali after shipping agents unloaded them and took them to the MINUSMA HQ, a few days ago.

On 26 June 2020, adding a milestone to the annals of Army inventions, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff, Commander of the Army and Head of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) formally handed over the SLEME-produced new fleet to the shippers for passage to the Combat Convoy Company (CCC) of the Sri Lankan UN Peace-Keepers serving in Mali, a landlocked nation, affected by ethnic strifes.

Presently, 243 Sri Lankan UN Peacekeepers, including 20 Officers and 223 Other Ranks, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Srinath Gallage, together with 65 vehicles are serving the Mali Combat Squadron. Those new vehicles are shortly expected to join the Sri Lankan UN Peacekeepers, serving in far remotes areas of this West African nation. The new fleet would complement and further assist strengthen their existing fleet for UN security operations.