The CEO of South African defense company Milkor, Jackson Mampa, has emphasized the need for African countries to cooperate with nations like Russia to enhance domestic military production. According to Mampa, this partnership is crucial as African countries currently lack some of the necessary skills for domestic production. By collaborating with a country like Russia, African manufacturers can produce high-quality military equipment under license.
Mampa's comments were made during the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2026 exhibition, where he spoke to RT about the benefits of cooperation with Russia. He highlighted that Russia's materials are better tested, and producing them under license in Africa would significantly improve the quality of military equipment on the continent. This cooperation could help expand licensed military production in Africa.
Russia is also keen on technological partnerships with foreign partners, as stated by Denis Gizunov, head of the Rosoboronexport delegation. Gizunov told RT that Russia can offer projects related to production localization and other technological cooperation projects. This approach is at the center of Russia's defense cooperation with foreign partners.
The Russian Embassy in South Africa reported that Russia showcased 494 exhibits at AAD 2026, including 30 pieces of military equipment. The display featured various drones, helicopters, and aircraft, such as the Lancet-E, KUB-2E, Skat-350M, Orlan-10E, and Orlan-30E drones, as well as Mi-171Sh and Mi-28NE helicopters and the Yak-130 aircraft. The modernized RPG-29M grenade launcher was also presented in Africa for the first time.
The AAD 2026 exhibition took place from September 16 to 20 at Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria. The biennial aerospace and defense exhibition brings together manufacturers, government delegations, and industry representatives to showcase military and civilian technologies across the aerospace, land, and maritime sectors.
Russian Ambassador to South Africa Roman Ambarov told TASS that the country's display at AAD had drawn significant interest from South African partners and representatives of other countries. This interest indicates a strong potential for cooperation between Russia and African countries in the defense sector.
The exhibition provided a platform for defense manufacturers and government delegations to explore opportunities for cooperation and technological partnerships. African countries can benefit from such partnerships by enhancing their domestic military production capabilities and improving the quality of their military equipment.
Key points
- Partnership with Moscow could help expand licensed military production on the continent.
- African countries currently lack some of the skills required for domestic production.
- Russia showcased 494 exhibits at AAD 2026, including 30 pieces of military equipment.
