Africa's share in the Russian state arms exporter, Rosoboronexport's arms deliveries exceed 30% of the total volume, contracts worth more than $5.2 billion have been signed this year, the enterprise's head Alexander Mikheev said.
"EDEX is the largest defense exhibition on the African continent. Rosoboronexport conducts active military-technical cooperation with 80% of the countries in the region. The share of exports to African countries in 2023 exceeded 30% of the total volume of Rosoboronexport supplies, and the company's contracting in the region by the end of the year will amount to more than 5.2 billion US dollars," Mikheev said.
According to him, the company at EDEX aims to enhance cooperation on the points of interaction outlined during the second Russia-Africa Summit in the Russian city of Saint Petersburg.
In addition, Rosoboronexport will continue to finalize agreements with Middle Eastern countries signed at the Airshow 2023, which took place on November 13-17 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The annual volume of Rosoboronexport's sales of arms and military equipment abroad has exceeded $13 billion in recent years.
Rosoboronexport has participated in all previous EDEX exhibitions held under the patronage of the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. The company typically showcases the majority of Russian-made export innovations in Egypt, which are actively gaining top positions in the global arms market, including through successful experience in real combat conditions.
At EDEX 2023, Rosoboronexport will present the latest models of Russian aviation and armored vehicles, missile and artillery systems, naval products, multifunctional and combat unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), air defense and electronic warfare systems, small arms and ammunition.
"Rosoboronexport is currently making every effort to remain a reliable partner, aware of the security challenges and threats faced by the African states. Among other things, the company actively cooperates with the region on cybersecurity, space programs, as well as means of countering terrorism. Relevant contracts and memoranda of understanding have been signed and are being executed with a number of countries, and we are discussing practical steps to implement them," Mikheev added.
In early November, Rosoboronexport announced that about 43 African nations are already among its partners.
As for the demand for Russian military equipment abroad in general, Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation chief, Dmitry Shugaev, highlighted that it has not declined against the backdrop of sanctions, adding the portfolio of arms orders remains at a level of $50-55 billion.
Furthermore, in August, a number of arms exports contracts worth around $600 million were signed by the enterprise during the Army 2023 International Military-Technical Forum.