Russian arms on display at Africa’s largest defense expo

Russia has a large presence at Africa’s biggest defense and aerospace event, with arms export agency Rosoboronexport displaying over 250 items of military, dual-use, and civilian equipment, local media reported on Wednesday.

This year’s Africa Aerospace and Defense (AAD) expo, which is the 12th edition, opened on Wednesday in South Africa and will run until Sunday. According to the organizers, more than 300 companies from various countries, including BRICS states China and Brazil, are participating in the event, held once every two years.

The US, a key regular participant, had planned to take part in the AAD but later withdrew over an alleged refusal by Pretoria’s defense department to confirm the status of a decades-old military agreement.

In a press release on Monday, Rosoboronexport announced it will showcase advanced weapon systems, including Typhoon-K, ZA-SpN Titan, 3-STS Akhmat, Spartak, and Tiger mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles, as well as upgraded Linza protected field ambulances. Modern Russian military transport and combat aircraft and helicopters, as well as the Yak-130 combat trainer, the Orion-E reconnaissance/strike UAV, the Orlan-10E and Orlan-30 reconnaissance UAV systems, the S-350 Skat UAV, and the Kub-E loitering munition, are also featuring.

The agency, which is part of the Russian state-owned Rostec defense corporation, said it is exhibiting advanced armored vehicle protection systems for the first time in Africa, including Nakidka radio-absorbing material, add-on slat armor, and explosive reactive armor (ERA) kits for tanks and light armored vehicles.

©  Rosoboronexport

Alexander Mikheev, head of Rosoboronexport, said the organization “is steadily expanding its footprint on the continent, including through active participation in exhibitions.” 

©  Rosoboronexport

The company has been successfully cooperating with over 40 African countries, assisting “partners in the region to strengthen their defense capabilities and sovereignty, adequately respond to today’s security threats related to organized crime and terrorism,” he added.

“Joint projects and transfer of Russian technologies give an impetus to the development of industry in African countries,” Mikheev stated.

©  Rosoboronexport

In recent years, Russia has strengthened its security cooperation with African countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. The three nations have cut ties with France and the US while seeking Moscow’s defense assistance to combat long-standing extremist violence in the Sahel.

©  Rosoboronexport

Speaking on the sidelines of the Egypt International Airshow earlier this month, Rosoboronexport’s director told RIA Novosti that the agency is working on several African cooperation projects worth more than $560 million. The initiatives revolve around the licensed production of small arms, ammunition, armored vehicles, and swift combat boats, Mikheev said.

Last December, the export agency reported that the continent had bought more than 30% of the weapons systems Russia exported in 2023.