Russia is sending long-range attack bombers Tupolev Tu-160 to South Africa..

Russia is sending one of its long-range attack bombers, the Tupolev Tu-160, to South Africa. However, instead of a military mission or an exercise by the Russian Aerospace Forces [VKS], this deployment aims to participate in Africa's largest aerospace exhibition.
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TU-160 with russian patriotic legend as a russian influence spreader (Picture source: Tupolev)

The Africa Aerospace and Defense 2024 exhibition will be held in Pretoria, South Africa's administrative capital, from September 18 to 22. Ahead of the event, a delegation of Russian military officers visited an airport near Pretoria to plan the deployment of long-range Tu-160 bombers for the exhibition. These officers were warmly received at the airbase by the chief of the South African Air Force.

Captain Tebogo Augustus, spokesperson for the South African Air Force, highlighted the strong diplomatic ties between Pretoria and Moscow as BRICS members. "Russia and South Africa have long maintained diplomatic relations. As members of BRICS, along with China, India, and Brazil, they share strong economic ties, political relations, and military cooperation agreements," she stated.

Russia's plan to send its Tu-160 strategic bombers to South Africa for the Africa Aerospace and Defense [AAD] 2024 exhibition is not merely a display of military power; it is a calculated geopolitical move aimed at reinforcing Moscow's strategic objectives in Africa and beyond. These long-range bombers, among the most sophisticated in Russia's arsenal, illustrate Moscow's intent to strengthen its defense ties with South Africa, a crucial BRICS ally. By showcasing the Tu-160, Russia signals its desire to bolster this bilateral relationship while presenting itself as a reliable military partner to other African nations. This aligns with Russia's broader strategy to expand its influence on a continent traditionally dominated by Western nations.

The presence of Tu-160 bombers in South Africa is a strategic demonstration of Russia's power projection capabilities on the international stage. Capable of flying across multiple continents, these bombers symbolize Russia's ability to project military power far beyond its borders. This is not just a show of force towards South Africa but a broader message to the international community, particularly NATO and the United States, about Russia's strategic reach and its determination to assert itself globally.

Moreover, this deployment is a strategic maneuver in the ongoing rivalry between Russia and the West. Africa has become a crucial battleground in this struggle, and by showcasing its capabilities at major defense exhibitions like AAD 2024, Russia is directly challenging Western influence in the region. This initiative also aims to strengthen Russia's relations with countries outside the Western sphere, potentially softening the impact of the severe sanctions imposed on Moscow due to the Ukrainian conflict. For African countries, Russia positions itself as a viable partner offering an alternative to Western alliances.

The exhibition also serves as an excellent opportunity for Russia to promote its defense exports. The Tu-160, one of the most advanced pieces of military technology in Russia's arsenal, provides substantial support to the country's defense industry. By presenting such cutting-edge technology, Russia is likely to attract the interest of African nations seeking to bolster their military capabilities, potentially leading to new arms contracts and closer economic ties.

Diplomatically, the arrival of Russian strategic bombers in South Africa sends a clear message of unity with a nation that often holds views differing from Western policies on the international stage. This initiative underscores Russia's willingness to forge and strengthen alliances with countries that seek to break away from the liberal, US-centric order. In recent months, many states have expressed interest in joining the BRICS international conference and, more discreetly, Asian international organizations like the SCO and AIIB.

Russia's decision to deploy Tu-160 bombers to South Africa for AAD 2024 represents a complex geopolitical strategy. It aims to strengthen its influence in Africa, challenge the liberal order established since the 1990s, and demonstrate its global power projection capabilities. This initiative goes beyond mere military display; it is a calculated statement of Russia's broader ambitions on the international stage.