South Africa cancels visit from Russian bombers

The planned flight of Russian Tu-160 strategic bombers to South Africa has been cancelled, the South African National Defense Force said in a statement on page X.

The missile carriers were supposed to fly to the Waterkloof airbase in Pretoria as part of a friendly visit on October 29 and stay there until November 1, the South African Defense Forces previously said. The department’s statement noted that Tu-160s had never landed in Africa before. In addition, the Russian air force was to include Il-62 and An-124 aircraft. The visit was aimed at “confirming diplomatic relations” between the countries, the South African military said. A new date has not yet been announced.

Bloomberg writes that the idea of ​​the arrival of Russian bombers was not supported by one of the main members of South Africa’s coalition government, the Liberal Democratic Alliance party. According to its representatives, the campaign raises the question of the republic’s neutrality in international conflicts.

“If the neutrality of South Africa is true, the Democratic Alliance wants (President Cyril) Ramaphosa extend the same invitation to Ukraine as to Russia,” – said her statement.

Last week, the party criticized Ramaphosa for visiting Kazan for the BRICS summit and said Russia was a “valuable friend” of South Africa. Ramaphosa’s African National Congress, which is in coalition with the Democratic Alliance, called the party’s criticism inappropriate.

According to an analyst at InTouch Capital Markets Petra MatysaWestern investors are concerned about strengthening military cooperation between South Africa and Russia.

“Western countries led by the United States may punish South Africa for its relationship with Russia,” – he thinks.

On October 28, a South African military delegation with the head of the National Defense Forces arrived in Moscow Rudzani Mafwanyi. As reported by the Ministry of Defense, the countries agreed to continue increasing cooperation between the armed forces in various fields, RBC recalls.