E. N. KORENDYASOV
Candidate of Economic Sciences
Institute of Africa, Russian Academy of Sciences
Keywords: Russia-Africa, African arms market, military-technical cooperation (MTC), national armies
For Russian partners in military-technical cooperation, sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is becoming increasingly attractive.
During the period from 2000 to 2013, the export of weapons and military equipment (IWT) to the SSA countries amounted to $13.5 billion. (including $244 million in 2000 and $717 million in 2013)1. For example, in 2013-2014, contracts were signed with Nigeria (supplies of 6 MI-35 and 6 MI-17 helicopters) and with Namibia (supplies of small arms, mortars, vehicles and ammunition), as well as with Angola.2
The factors that determine the desire of States in this region of Africa to build up their military capabilities are becoming long-term. They are related to the growing threats of revision of state borders inherited from the colonial era, the aggravation of separatist ethnic and religious conflicts, and changes in the balance of power between African countries.3
On the other hand, with the growth of the SSA countries ' development rates, their financial capabilities are expanding - after all, out of the 21 African oil-producing countries, 16 are located in this region, where about 300 million tons of oil are produced per year4.
Currently, Russia supports military-technical cooperation with 25 SSA countries out of 39. Rosoboronexport has permanent representative offices in Uganda, Ethiopia and Angola, and intergovernmental agreements on military-technical cooperation have been signed with most States. Our largest partners include Angola, Sudan, Uganda and Ethiopia.
ANGOLA, ETHIOPIA, SUDAN
Angola. Angolans have been familiar with Soviet weapons since the 1960s, when they opposed the Portuguese colonialists. During the struggle against South African aggression and the civil war that followed the declaration of independence in 1975, for the period from 1980 to 1 ...
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