By Lungile Ntimba
Russia’s Aerospace Forces have arrived in South Africa on a defence cooperation visit to strengthen ties between the two nations.
“The South African National Defence Force through the South African Air Force welcomes the Aerospace Forces of the Russian Federation on their goodwill visit to the Republic of South Africa,” the SANDF said in a statement.
The Russian air arsenal will be at Waterkloof Air Force Base until Friday to strengthen of military-to-military relations.
The two armies are holding a bilateral seminar where their technical staff will discuss combat planning and search and rescue matters.
South Africa has used the visit to reaffirm the diplomatic ties held by both countries’ military organisations.
According to the SANDF, the defence ministers of both countries signed an agreement in 1995 that the joint unit of the Aerospace Forces of the Russian Federation would visit South Africa from time to time.
“The SANDF will emerge as big heirs of this visit which sets a platform for the SAAF to gain knowledge and exposure to the large military air assets including the IL-62, AN-124, and Tupolev Tu-160 ‘Blackjack’ bombers which are the first to ever land on the African continent,” the SANDF added.
It emphasised that this was part of the army’s military-to-military partnership framework with several defence forces globally.
The visit comes at a time when partners in the Government of National Unity – particularly the ANC and the DA – are engaging in public spat over South Africa’s support for Russia and Ukraine.
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