South Africa and Russia have agreed to strengthen military cooperation following an official visit to Moscow by South African Army Chief Lieutenant General Lawrence Mbatha, in a move that underscores Russia’s continuing effort to deepen defence partnerships across Africa despite growing geopolitical tensions with the West.
Mbatha met senior Russian military officials on Monday, where both sides discussed expanding cooperation between their land forces, improving combat readiness and pursuing additional joint projects.
According to Russia’s Defence Ministry, the two countries reached agreements to deepen bilateral military ties during the visit.
Mbatha’s delegation is also scheduled to visit Russian military academies and defence companies, suggesting cooperation could extend beyond diplomacy into training and military education.
The visit marks Mbatha’s second official trip to Russia as head of the South African Army, highlighting an increasingly institutionalised military relationship between the two BRICS members.
