Moscow: JSC ROSOBORONEXPORT (part of the Rostec State Corporation) will showcase modern Russian weaponry at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2026 exhibition, to be held from September 16 to 20 at the Waterkloof Air Force Base in Centurion, Pretoria, South Africa.
ROSOBORONEXPORT is the organiser of a single Russian exhibit at the event and will display products from leading Russian defence manufacturers for all services of the armed forces at its stand.
“ROSOBORONEXPORT views Africa as one of the world’s most promising regions for the development of military-technical cooperation. Russia helps the continent’s nations strengthen their defence capabilities and effectively counter all modern security threats and challenges. We offer our African partners state-of-the-art weaponry and actively develop technology cooperation projects that foster the growth and modernisation of their national industries. We are currently implementing or preparing to launch over 20 projects involving maintenance, repair and localised production of equipment for Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force and Air Defence Force,” said Alexander Mikheev, Director General of ROSOBORONEXPORT.
In the UAV and loitering munition segment, ROSOBORONEXPORT will exhibit the upgraded Lancet-E system, as well as a system comprising the Skat-350M reconnaissance UAV and the KUB-2E loitering munition, both developed and manufactured by the Kalashnikov Group, part of the Rostec State Corporation. The special exporter’s stand will also feature the RUS-PE reconnaissance-strike system, which incorporates a loitering munition.
A key focus of the ROSOBORONEXPORT exhibit is on the demonstration of present-day Russian small arms and close combat weapons. A wide range of Kalashnikov assault rifles will be on display in Pretoria, including the AK-19, AK-203, AK-204, and AK-15 assault rifles, the PPK-20 submachine gun, Lebedev pistols and the Chukavin SVCh sniper rifle.
Complementing these small arms, ROSOBORONEXPORT will present the Atlas, Phobos, Deimos thermal imaging sights (designed for various applications) and the Titan thermal imaging clip-on attachment.
The RPG-29M grenade launcher, developed by Rostec and modernised taking into account the experience of fighting, is being showcased for the first time on the African continent. It has proved effective in modern real-world conditions owing to a three-fold reduction in launcher weight, a day/night thermal imaging sight with integrated fire control capabilities and an expanded range of rounds.
For the Air Force, at AAD 2026 ROSOBORONEXPORT will showcase advanced Russian military transport and attack helicopters, the Mi-171Sh and Mi-28NE, as well as the Yak-130 combat trainer aircraft, developed by Rostec’s United Aircraft Corporation.
Designed to support special operations forces in littoral zones, the BK-16E high-speed transport and landing boat is expected to attract interest from the Navy and other law enforcement agencies. It can operate as a command, fire support, search-and-rescue and medevac boat. Its armament suite may include 12.7mm and 7.62mm machine guns, grenade launchers and remote-controlled weapon stations.
In the segment of modern security equipment, ROSOBORONEXPORT will present a range of devices capable of detecting explosives, hazardous chemicals and toxic agents, biological agents and narcotic drugs.
As part of the exhibition’s business programme, ROSOBORONEXPORT will hold meetings and negotiations with representatives of the armed forces and security agencies of African nations. The Company will also continue to strengthen ties with the local defence industry to foster technology partnerships in the region.
