Rosoboronexport Boosts Sub-Saharan Africa Orders by $1.7 Billion
The contingent from Rosoboronexport JSC (a subsidiary of Rostec State Corporation) will participate in the Shield Africa 2021 International Security and Defense Exhibition, scheduled from June 8 to 10 at the Police Academy in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
“Rosoboronexport is effectively continuing to develop military-technical partnerships with Sub-Saharan African nations, a process that received significant momentum during the Russia-Africa Forum in 2019. In 2020 and the early months of 2021 alone, we formalized contract agreements valued at over $1.7 billion within this region, increasing the number of nations in Central, Western, and Southern Africa in our order portfolio to 17,” stated Alexander Mikheev, General Director of Rosoboronexport. “At present, Rosoboronexport is promoting helicopters, air defense technologies, naval equipment, armored vehicles, apparatus for law enforcement agencies, security solutions for airports and essential infrastructure, and small firearms, including specialized weaponry, in the region.”
During Shield Africa 2021, the Rosoboronexport delegation will conduct meetings and discussions with officials from the law enforcement sectors of African nations and present a range of Russian-manufactured products intended for all branches of the military, including police forces and special operations units.
Among the Russian offerings that the company’s experts will showcase are the BTR-80, 80A, and 82A armored personnel carriers, the Kalashnikov AK-100 and AK-200 series, AK-12 and AK-15 assault rifles that are highly sought after in the region, as well as the AK-19 and AK-308 rifles, which are brand new to Africa. Furthermore, partners will receive insights about Russian anti-tank guided missile systems, including the Kornet-E and Kornet-EM systems, along with 120 and 82 mm mortars.
Alongside the Rosoboronexport delegation, Russia will be represented by the Military Industrial Company (VPK), which will facilitate an exhibition featuring the full-scale VPK-233316 Tigr special armored vehicle in the Raid configuration, as well as the VPK-39473 Strela light armored and VPK-Ural multi-purpose armored vehicles. These military vehicles will make their debut at an exhibition on the African mainland. During Shield Africa 2021, Rosoboronexport is prepared to engage in comprehensive consultations and dialogues regarding the delivery of this equipment.
“We will also communicate to our partners that our capabilities have been extensively broadened as we actively advance our initiatives related to the supply of Russian civilian products. Rosoboronexport, which boasts a strong reputation within the governmental and business sectors of African nations, serves as a ‘Single Window’ and ensures the accuracy and reliability of transactions for both Russian manufacturers and international clients,” added Alexander Mikheev.
To facilitate the promotion of civilian products in the global marketplace for companies lacking experience in independent international trade, Rosoboronexport has established a dedicated division to manage the supply of civilian goods.
The principal export product categories encompass vehicles, maritime and river vessels, medical supplies, civilian and service firearms, processing equipment, and metallurgical and chemical materials.
The company has already successfully executed multiple contracts for delivering modern fire trucks, civilian helicopters, and security systems to various nations globally, with numerous pre-contract discussions currently progressing. Agreements for the joint promotion of civilian products in the international market have been finalized with major Russian conglomerates and are actively in effect.
