African countries show interest in Kalashnikov weapons, export chief says

A large number of potential customers from African countries have expressed interest in products made by Russia’s Kalashnikov concern, its export director for drones and loitering munitions has said.

Leonid Rokeakh told Russian media that representatives from several African countries had held talks with the company during the Africa Aerospace and Defence exhibition in South Africa and at other events.

“I am confident that the negotiations will be successful and that our pool of customers will expand further,” he said.

Rokeakh said Kalashnikov’s products, including munitions and tactical reconnaissance drones, had demonstrated high effectiveness in combat conditions.

He said their ease of training and operation, as well as their low price, made them attractive to African customers.

African countries generally had fewer highly qualified personnel and lower military budgets than some leading markets, he added.

The products could therefore allow them to carry out tasks that other countries performed using more expensive equipment, Rokeakh said.

By Aghakazim Guliyev