**Title: South African Arms Executive Advocates for Defense Cooperation with Russia at AAD 2026**
**Pretoria, South Africa** – At the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2026 exhibition held from September 16 to 20 at Waterkloof Air Force Base, Jackson Mampa, the CEO of South African defense manufacturer Milkor, emphasized the need for African nations to collaborate with countries like Russia to enhance local defense production capabilities.
Mampa articulated that many African countries currently face a skills gap in domestic defense production, which necessitates partnerships with established defense manufacturers. "If you cooperate with a country like Russia, you know very well that their materials are better tested. So, if you produce those under license in Africa, it will be much, much better," he stated during an interview with RT.
The AAD 2026 exhibition serves as a significant platform for defense and aerospace manufacturers, government delegations, and industry representatives to showcase advancements in military and civilian technologies. This year, the event featured a wide array of exhibits, including military hardware and aerospace innovations.
Denis Gizunov, head of the Rosoboronexport delegation, echoed Mampa's sentiments, highlighting that Russia is focusing on technological partnerships in its defense cooperation with foreign partners. "We can offer projects related to production localization and, above all, other technological cooperation projects," he added, indicating a willingness to engage in joint ventures that could bolster local manufacturing capabilities.
The Russian presence at AAD 2026 was marked by a substantial display of military equipment, with 494 exhibits showcased, including 30 pieces of military hardware. Notable items included advanced drones such as the Lancet-E, KUB-2E, Skat-350M, Orlan-10E, and Orlan-30E, as well as helicopters like the Mi-171Sh and Mi-28NE, and the Yak-130 aircraft. For the first time in Africa, the modernized RPG-29M grenade launcher was also presented.
Roman Ambarov, the Russian Ambassador to South Africa, reported that the Russian display garnered significant interest from South African partners and representatives from other nations, reflecting a growing interest in defense cooperation and technological exchange.
The AAD exhibition, which occurs biennially, aims to facilitate collaboration among various stakeholders in the defense sector, fostering relationships that could lead to enhanced security and technological advancements across the continent.
As African nations continue to seek ways to bolster their defense capabilities, the call for partnerships with established defense powers like Russia may pave the way for increased local production and technological development in the region.