Russia to participate in Africa’s largest defense exhibition

Russian Tu-160 long-range bombers are likely to be showcased at Africa Aerospace and Defense 2024

Russia is set to participate in Africa’s largest defense and aerospace exhibition, local news agency Defenceweb reported on Friday. Africa Aerospace and Defense 2024 will take place in South Africa in September.

Ahead of the event, a delegation of Russian military officers visited an airfield outside Pretoria with a view to deploying Tu-160 long-range bombers at the location for the exhibition. The officers were greeted at the airbase by the chief of the South African Air Force.

Captain Tebogo August, a spokeswoman for the South African Air Force, said Pretoria and Moscow enjoyed strong diplomatic relations as fellow members of BRICS.

“Russia and South Africa have enjoyed diplomatic relations since time immemorial. As BRICS members, together with China, India, and Brazil, they all enjoy economic ties, political relations, and military cooperation agreements,” she stated.

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Several Russian defense companies will participate in the exhibition, including Aeroscan, Katod, Roscosmos Corporation, Rosoboronexport, Technodinamika, and United Aircraft Corporation.

In October 2019, two Russian Tu-160 bombers visited South Africa for the first time. Their arrival at Waterkloof airbase coincided with the opening of the inaugural Russia-Africa summit in Sochi.

Africa Aerospace and Defense 2024 will take place from September 18 to September 22. The final two days of the event will be dedicated to the air show.

The exhibition, which was first held in 1975, takes place every two years. This year, it is expected to feature more than 300 companies from various countries.