Djibouti has ordered nine rebuilt Casspir 4x4 wheeled armored personnel carriers from South Africa. The South Africans built 2500 of these vehicles (which have excellent anti-mine protection) but half of these are now surplus (as there is no campaign against ANC guerrillas) and are being refurbished and sold abroad. (India, which has no shortage of internal rebels, has bought 165.) The buy is significant as Djibouti has previously bought all of its military equipment from France.--Stephen V Cole