Angola keen on moving toward US-manufactured arms Sub-Saharan country's weaponry could be useful for Ukraine

Angola has traditionally been influenced by the USSR/Russian Federation but President João Lourenço has condemned the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine and expressed a desire to buy Western weapons. Angola has Soviet tanks, howitzers, helicopters, and artillery, which the AFU knows how to use.

Angolan leader said in an interview for VOA Portuges that they were interested in involving NATO and the US in defence reform, Focus.ua reports.

In the 1980s Angola received large quantities of weapons from the Soviet Union to repel the invasion of the Republic of South Africa. Because of this, the USSR, and later the Russian Federation, had serious influence in Angola. Now Lourenço has announced plans to rearm Angola with modern American and NATO weaponry. Moreover, Angola has condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

"A sovereign state determines its own foreign policy, and being a sovereign state, we must condemn the annexation of four regions of Ukraine," the head of state said.

Angola is grateful for the help of the USSR, which enabled them to survive the war, but they do not understand Moscow's policy as they are acting as interveners. The people of the African country understand perfectly well what war against invaders means.

Which Angolan armaments could be useful for Ukraine?

According to Global Fire Power, Angola has Soviet-era artillery, tanks, helicopters, and other equipment in service.

Armoured vehicles:

50 T-72 tanks
600 ARC-2
250 IFV1/2
31 MTLB
over 170 APC 60/80 and Chinese WZ-551

Artillery:

over 16 SPG 2S1 "Gvozdika" 
4 SPG 2S3 "Akatsiya"
12 SPG 2S7 "Pion"
523 D-30 howitzer
48 M-46 howitzers
4 D-20 howitzers

Helicopters:

20 Mi-24
22 Mi-8
12 Mi-17

Angola is currently the fourth largest buyer of Russian equipment in Africa.

The WSJ reported on December 28 that Russia is trying to lure Uganda to its side in the confrontation with the US. In return, Moscow offers to supply its attack helicopters.

On December 25, the NYT reported that Russian "Wagner" mercenaries have taken over the Central African Republic. They are helping to retain power and in return are pumping valuable resources out of the country.