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Burundi Seeking to Improve Defense Capabilities in Talks with Moscow, Minister Says

18:55, 17 August 2023

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Muhammad Nooh Osman

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Earlier this week, Burundi's Minister of Defense and Veterans' Affairs, Alain Tribert Mutabazi, arrived in Moscow to participate in the Army-2023 International Military-Technical Forum, which is being organized by the Russian Ministry of Defense at the Patriot Russian Army Exhibition Park outside Moscow from August 14 to 20.

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Burundi's Minister of Defense and Veterans' Affairs, Alain Tribert Mutabazi, has held a series of meetings with Russian defense officials and Rosoboronexport, Russia's leading arms exporter, to discuss military-technical cooperation between the two countries.

In an interview with Sputnik Africa, Mutabazi, the second civilian to hold the position of defense minister in the East African country, expressed his satisfaction with the meetings, and described them as successful and reflective of the strong friendship and open cooperation between the two nations.

"With the leadership of the Ministry of Defense, we mainly discussed the ways of implementing the agreement on military-technical cooperation signed last year, as well as the search for new areas of cooperation," Mutabazi told Sputnik Africa. "With the leadership of Rosoboronexport, in addition to adjusting the technical proposals, we discussed the terms of concluding a contract and the terms of its financing."

Mutabazi emphasized that military-technical cooperation between Gitega and Moscow is currently in a good state. They have made significant progress in some aspects, while further cooperation is being planned in the near future.

"The military-technical cooperation between the Republic of Burundi and the Russian Federation is in a good state and is being implemented within the framework of various agreements signed between our states, the latest of which was signed last July. Significant progress has been made in the area of training and capacity building," the Burundian minister said.

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He added that the two sides are currently planning an exchange of specialists, while a large delivery of Russian military equipment to Burundi is expected in the near future.

Addressing a previous interest expressed by Burundi in acquiring the Pantsir-S1 self-propelled medium-range surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery system, Mutabazi confirmed that the Burundian government remains committed to strengthening its air defenses and obtaining new equipment.

"The Government of the Republic of Burundi has expressed its desire not only to strengthen its air defenses, but also to acquire new equipment and hardware, a partial list of which has been submitted to the Russian authorities for consideration," Mutabazi revealed.

The minister's visit to the Army-2023 International Military-Technical Forum signifies the importance that Burundi places on its military cooperation with Russia. These interactions contribute to the ongoing efforts to enhance the defense capabilities and security of Burundi, while strengthening the bonds of friendship between the two nations.