Faith Nyasuguta
Africa’s largest defense and aviation exhibition, Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2024, will feature several Russian companies, including the state-owned Rosoboronexport. The event, held at the Waterkloof Air Force Base near Pretoria, South Africa, will take place from September 18th to 20th.
This exhibition, which began nearly 50 years ago, highlights the longstanding military cooperation between South Africa and Russia, formalized by a cooperation agreement in 1995.
South African media have confirmed that at least six Russian companies, including Rosoboronexport, will participate in AAD 2024. Rosoboronexport, a key player in the global arms market, has previously shown keen interest in expanding its presence in Africa.
At AAD 2022, Rosoboronexport Director General Alexander Mikheev stated, “We are showcasing about 400 of the best Russian products for all branches of the armed forces, police and special operations units, security equipment and cyber security solutions, as well as a wide range of civilian products.”
According to a report by defenceWeb, Rosoboronexport will exhibit a range of Russian-made military hardware at AAD 2024. The lineup includes the T-90S main battle tank, TOS-1A heavy flamethrower system, Smerch multiple rocket launcher system, Msta-S self-propelled howitzer with a standard NATO 155 mm gun, BTR-80A and BTR-82A armored personnel carriers, various versions of the Tigr and Typhoon wheeled armored vehicles, and the Kornet-EM anti-tank guided missile system.
Additionally, they will showcase small arms, including Kalashnikov AK-100, AK-200 series, AK-12, AK-15, and AK-19 assault rifles, and body armor.
First held in 1975, the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) exhibition is the only event of its kind in Africa that combines both a trade exhibition and an air show. Held biennially, AAD attracts hundreds of companies from around the globe, providing a platform for the defense and aerospace industries to showcase their latest technologies and products.
In a related development, an earlier report by defenceWeb indicated that Russia is considering sending Tupolev Tu-160 bombers to the AAD 2024 event. Seven Russian military officers visited the Waterkloof base on July 22 to evaluate the site, according to an article by Captain Tebogo August for the SA Air Force’s Ad Astra magazine. The Tu-160 bombers last visited South Africa in October 2019 during the Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi.
The longstanding military ties between Russia and South Africa were officially established in 1995 through agreements on military technical cooperation and collaboration between their respective defense ministries. In August 2018, Russia and the Southern African Development Community further solidified their military technical cooperation during the BRICS summit in South Africa.
The participation of Russian defense companies in AAD 2024 highlights Russia’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its influence in Africa, particularly in the defense sector. This presence at AAD highlights the strategic importance of the African market for Russian arms exports and military partnerships.
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