African nations buy over 30% of weapons systems delivered by Russian arms exporter — CEO

Rosoboronexport CEO Alexander Mikheyev has said that African countries’ combined share of Russian weapons systems exports has exceeded 30% of the total volume of deliveries made to date in 2023 by state arms exporter.

He made the remarks before the opening of the EDEX 2023 international defence exhibition in Cairo, noting that this year’s contracts with African countries were worth over $5.2 billion, TASS reports.

"EDEX is the largest defence exhibition on the African continent. Rosoboronexport actively cooperates with 80% of the region’s countries in the military-technical field. The share of exports to African countries in 2023 has surpassed 30% of Rosoboronexport’s total supplies, while the company’s contracts in the region will exceed $5.2 bln by the end of the year," Mikheyev was quoted as saying by the company’s press service.

At the Cairo exhibition, Russia’s arms exporter intends to establish cooperation in those areas outlined during the Second Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg in July, as well as continue finalizing agreements reached with Middle Eastern countries during the Dubai Airshow 2023 in November, he added.

The exporter’s participation in EDEX marks the culmination of Rosoboronexport’s 2023 program for taking part in global defence sector trade shows, which in total has encompassed 16 international exhibitions across Russia and abroad, the company said. The specialized exporter has taken part in all previous EDEX trade shows, where it has presented the bulk of Russia-made export specialties, which are quickly gaining "top positions in the global arms market," an advantageous niche that is enhanced by the successful deployment of Russian systems under actual combat conditions, Rosoboronexport added.

The Russian defence industry’s latest models of aviation and armoured vehicles, missile and artillery systems, naval-use products, multi-purpose and combat unmanned aircraft, anti-aircraft and electronic warfare weapons, small arms and ammunition will be presented at this year’s EDEX.

"Today Rosoboronexport is doing its best to remain a reliable partner, being aware of the challenges and threats in the security area facing African countries," Mikheyev said. "Among other things, the company actively cooperates with the region in the field of cybersecurity and space programs, as well as counter-terrorism facilities. Relevant contracts and memorandums of understanding have been signed with a number of countries and are now being carried out, and we are discussing practical steps for their implementation," he noted.