On Tuesday, South Africa announced that it is hosting Russia’s Aerospace Forces for a five-day visit to reinforce the military partnership between the two nations.
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) released a statement indicating that the South African Air Force is receiving Russia’s Aerospace Forces from October 29 to November 2, 2024, as part of a goodwill visit.
The statement detailed that the Russian air fleet, which includes aircraft like the IL-62, AN-124, and Tupolev Tu-160 ‘Blackjack’ bombers, will be landing at Air Force Base Waterkloof during this period. This marks the first time these specific aircraft have arrived on the African continent, offering an opportunity for South African forces to observe and learn from the advanced air assets.
The visit also includes a bilateral seminar involving technical staff from both nations, where discussions will focus on combat strategies, planning methodologies, and search and rescue operations.
According to the SANDF, this visit aims to deepen military cooperation and solidify the long-standing diplomatic relations between South Africa and Russia’s military bodies, as outlined in a 1995 defense agreement between both countries.
