Russia's Arms Exporter to Show Modern Security Products in Africa for First Time
Kirill Kurevlev
Managing Editor
At the exhibition, which will be held from 18 to 22 September at the Waterkloof Centurion Air Force Base in South Africa's Pretoria, Rosoboronexport will organize a single Russian exposition featuring more than 250 samples of military, dual-use, and civilian products.
SputnikA part of the Russian state corporation Rostec, the arms exporter
Rosoboronexport, will present for the first time in Africa modern systems for protecting armored vehicles from drones, including the radio-absorbing material "Nakidka" and dynamic protection kits for tanks, the company's press service announced.
The exhibition will take place at the international exhibition Africa Aerospace and Defense Expo 2024 in South Africa.
"Most of the exhibits have successful experience of real-life use and are being modernized taking into account the realities of modern combat operations," the company said in a press release.
One of the main focuses of Rosoboronexport's exposition is on the capabilities of Russian wheeled armored vehicles to transport mechanized units, provide fire support, evacuate the wounded, and provide first aid.
"Modern military conflicts have shown the need for additional protection of armored vehicles from new threats - unmanned reconnaissance and destruction vehicles. Rosoboronexport is exhibiting modern armored vehicle protection systems for the first time on the African continent. Among them are the radio-absorbing material "Nakidka," which significantly reduces the thermal and radar signature of equipment, lattice screens, and dynamic protection kits for tanks and light armored vehicles," the statement said.
The company will present the "Typhoon-K", ZA-SpN "Titan", Z-STS "Akhmat", "Spartak", "Tiger" armored vehicles, which have received high marks in combat operations, as well as the modernized "Linza" protected ambulance, assembled entirely from Russian components as part of the import substitution program.
Modern Russian military transport and combat aircraft and helicopters, as well as the Yak-130 combat training, a modernized version of which was presented in 2024 for promotion on the world market, will be presented to the delegations of the Air Force at Africa Aerospace and Defense 2024.
In the unmanned aerial vehicle segment, the Russian exhibit will feature the Orion-E reconnaissance and strike UAV, the Orlan-10E and Orlan-30 reconnaissance systems, the S-350 Skat UAV, and the Kub-E loitering munition.
The Russian arms dealer will offer a wide range of small arms at its stand to equip the army, special forces, and police units, including Kalashnikov assault rifles of the "two hundredth" series, AK-15, AK-308, and AK-19. Visitors of the company's exhibit will also be able to see Russian Chukavin and Dragunov sniper rifles (with a folding stock), MPL, PLK, MPL-1, and Viking pistols, and the PPK-20 submachine gun.
During the demonstration of small arms, the capabilities of the Russian defense industry to create small arms systems, "weapon, ammunition, sighting system," will be demonstrated. Within the framework of this concept, Rosoboronexport will present various thermal imaging and optical sights.
The company will offer law enforcement agencies a wide range of non-lethal means: the PB-4SP "Osa" (Wasp in Russian) traumatic pistol, multifunctional shields, light and sound, smoke, aerosol, and irritant hand grenades.
Rosoboronexport will demonstrate to the delegations of African countries with access to the sea a patrol ship of Project 22160, high-speed multipurpose, assault and landing assault boats, and boats of the BK-10, BK-16 types.
During the exhibition's business program, Rosoboronexport will hold meetings and negotiations with representatives of all branches of the armed forces and security agencies of African countries. The company will also continue to strengthen ties with local defense industry enterprises to develop industrial partnerships in the region.
"Rosoboronexport successfully cooperates with more than 40 African countries and is constantly expanding its geographic presence on the continent, including through active participation in exhibitions. We help our partners in the region strengthen their defense capability and sovereignty and adequately respond to modern security threats related to organized crime and terrorism. In addition, joint projects and the transfer of Russian technologies provide an incentive for the development of industry in African countries," said Rosoboronexport Director General Alexander Mikheev, whose words are quoted in the statement.