Russia is sending one of its Tupolev Tu-160 long-range bombers to South Africa to participate in Africa’s largest air show. The Africa Aerospace and Defense (AAD) 2024 exhibition, scheduled in Pretoria from September 18 to 22, offers Moscow a platform to showcase its military prowess and reinforce its geopolitical ambitions in Africa.

Meanwhile, the Russian Navy’s Baltic Fleet training vessel, Smolny, docked in Cape Town on the 29th of August for replenishment and resupply during what is described as an “unofficial visit” to South Africa. The stopover forms part of a long-range voyage intended to provide practical maritime training for over 300 naval cadets from Russia’s Ministry of Defence, marking its third port call on this voyage, following previous stops in Havana, Cuba, and La Guaira, Venezuela.

The Russian Consulate in Cape Town has emphasized that the visit aims to strengthen naval ties between Russia and South Africa, underscoring the growing relationship between the two nations.

The Tu-160, among Russia’s most advanced strike bombers, underscores the deepening defense ties between South Africa and Russia, both key members of the BRICS bloc. South African officials, led by the Air Force Chief, warmly received the Russian delegation planning the bomber’s arrival, highlighting the strong diplomatic, economic, and military connections between the two nations.

According to Russia-aligned sources online, these deployments are more than just spectacle, but should be seen as a strategic move by Russia to project its global military reach and challenge Western dominance on the continent. With these bombers capable of intercontinental flight, Russia sends a clear message to NATO and the United States about its ability to assert power far beyond its borders.

The recent joint military activities have angered the Ukrainian Association of South Africa, who released statements to the American overseas propaganda service Voice of America, urging the South African government to give up all “military cooperation” with Russia, and stated to the Daily Maverick that the bomber was almost certainly used to “kill Ukrainian children”.

The DA, on the other hand, merely accused their partners in national government of “cosying up” to Russia.

The SANDF itself also gave statements to VOA, noting that “as a sovereign state has a right and responsibility to accept the docking of foreign vessels as a maritime nation […] There are currently three foreign vessels in South African waters, including a Ukrainian vessel [in for repairs].”

The South African government has reiterated its long-standing official policy on “non-alignment” regarding the war in Ukraine, but Western parties remain unconvinced.

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