Rosoboronexport Seeks To Develop Ties With African Countries

Rosoboronexport, a subsidiary of the Rostec State Corporation, will present items of military equipment highly popular in armies, navies and air forces of African states at the Africa Aerospace and Defence 2014 exhibition in Pretoria, South Africa. 

"We come to this exhibition in the Republic of South Africa for the seventh time and consider it as the most important venue for the promotion of weapons and military equipment to the African continent, especially to sub-Saharan countries. Although these states account for a relatively small share in total sales (about two percent), there has been a steadily growing order dynamics in recent years. This fully corresponds with the overall tendency for strengthening and developing Russia's relations with the countries in the region", said Yuri Demchenko, a Rosoronexport special projects director heading its delegation to the exhibition. 

Rosoboronexport specialists expect foreign delegations to take special interest in systems showcased at the stand, such as the Yak-130 combat trainer jet, Il-76MD-90A military transport aircraft, Mi-35M combat transport helicopter, littoral monitoring system, patrol boats, tactical combat command and control system, BMP-3 infantry combat vehicle, BTR-80A armoured personnel carrier, Kornet-E/Kornet-EM antitank missile systems, special-purpose small arms. 

Rosoboronexport will present for the first time a conceptual programme "Safe City" promoting an integrated security system intended for cities, separate regions, state borders and vital installations. 

It will also organise presentations of helicopters including the Mi-17 type and Mi-35M, together with specialists of the Russian Helicopters holding company. 

Talks with representatives from more than 25 African countries are planned. During the exhibition special effort will be made to invigorate military technical cooperation with the Republic of South Africa both on the bilateral basis and within BRICS. 

"We can offer the delivery of military-purpose products to the Republic of South Africa with the local production of some parts. Besides this, we are ready to jointly develop samples of advanced weapons and military equipment both for the needs of the Republic of South Africa and third party countries including the BRICS members. Partnering in research, engineering and production is what can become a major drive in developing our cooperation", noted Yuri Demchenko. 

The contracts concluded with sub-Saharan countries in 2013-2014 amount to about 1.7 billion USD. A good groundwork has been laid in recent years for the cooperation with Nigeria, Cameroon, Mozambique, Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea. There are prospects for the delivery of weapons and military equipment to Botswana, Kenya, Rwanda, Djibouti, Ethiopia and other countries, Rosoboronexport added.