November15, 2006: France has agreed to create an elite military unit for the southern African nation of Malawi. To this end, 80 Malawi soldiers will be trained as paratroopers, and a transport aircraft will be given to Malawi for their new airborne force. France has also provided new navigation equipment for other Malawi military aircraft, and upgraded the control tower at the nations main airport. Malawi is one of the poorest countries in Africa. It's 13 million people are poorly educated and ruled by a pro-Western elected government. But it's basically a one party state. The Malawi paratroopers will give the government some competent muscle for use against any minor threats. France has been working to build stronger relationships with Malawi for the last few years.