This partnership has remained strong despite shifting global variables, with both parties profiting from each other.
Defense support has been a key component of this alliance, with Africa tapping into Russia’s advanced weapon systems to strengthen its security and defense capacities.
According to a report by Sputnik, African countries have adopted a range of Russian air defense systems in recent years to meet their specific security requirements.
These include long, medium, and short-range systems and self-propelled anti-aircraft guns.
Notable users, including Egypt, Algeria, Ethiopia, and others, deploy these systems to secure their airspace and prevent assault.
Below is a list of key systems currently in use in Africa.
Tor Air Defense System
The Tor Air Defense System is a highly advanced, short-range, surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed by Russia. Designed to detect, track, and destroy various aerial threats, it is especially effective against precision-guided weapons, aircraft, helicopters, drones, and even ballistic missiles.
Egypt currently has 16 Tor-M1 and Tor-M2 aircraft in operation.
S-300 series
The S-300 series is a family of long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems designed by the Soviet Union and later Russia. The S-300 is known for its adaptability, precision, and strong radar systems. It can counter a wide spectrum of aerial threats, such as airplanes and cruise missiles.
Ethiopia apparently utilizes the S-300PMU1 variant, whilst Egypt operates the S-300VM (SA-23) variant, with four battalions supplied in 2015.
S-400 Triumf
One of the world’s most sophisticated long-range air defense systems, the S-400 Triumf was designed by Russia to combat a variety of aerial threats, such as aircraft, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles.
To strengthen national security, Algeria has placed an order for two regiments of S-400 systems in 2024.
Pantsir-S1
The Pantsir-S1 is a Russian short-to-medium range, self-propelled air defense system.
It is a mobile unit that integrates surface-to-air missiles with rapid-fire cannons to protect high-value assets at close range and supplement long-range systems like the S-400.
