Allen-Vanguard secures ECM contracts valued over $3 million in Africa
Allen-Vanguard, a Canadian counter-IED specialist, announced on 11 June 2026, that it had signed over $3 million USD worth of contracts to supply electronic countermeasures equipment to two African nations.
This includes the company’s vehicle-mounted 3XXX ECM suite and its portable SCORPION 2 system. The announcement coincided with the Eurosatory exhibition in Paris, where the systems were displayed at stand DE345 in Hall 5a. The specific nations involved have not been disclosed due to the sensitive nature of their operational environments, a common practice in the counter-IED sector to prevent compromising ongoing operations.
Stuart Wilson, director of business development and marketing at Allen-Vanguard, emphasised that these orders build upon longstanding engagements in the region. “Our extensive history of supporting force protection efforts for African nations and peacekeeping operations underscores our commitment,” Wilson stated, highlighting the persistent threat posed by radio-controlled bombs and drones across the continent.
The SCORPION 2, designed for dismounted troops such as foot patrols, infantry units, and EOD teams, offers RF protection comparable to vehicle-mounted systems without the added weight. It employs algorithms to target specific enemy frequencies selectively, thereby minimising interference with friendly radio and GPS signals while effectively blocking triggering signals. Over 500 units have been sold worldwide, especially to the most prominent Five Eyes nations, as indicated by an Allen-Vanguard executive’s remarks at the World Defense Show in Riyadh.
The procurement strategy for African security forces is pragmatic. RC-IEDs remain the predominant threat, while small attack drones have transitioned from reconnaissance tools to platforms for delivering explosives. A versatile ECM family that addresses both vulnerabilities and emphasises local capacity building aligns with the budgetary and personnel constraints common among African defence ministries.
