South Africa’s army chief held talks with senior Russian military officials in Moscow on Tuesday, with the two countries agreeing to expand cooperation between their land forces.
Lieutenant General Lawrence Mbatha, chief of the South African Army, travelled to Russia as part of a military delegation on his second official visit to the country.
Russia’s Defence Ministry said the delegation would tour military academies and defence companies following meetings in the Russian capital.
According to the ministry, officials discussed joint projects intended to improve the operational and combat readiness of both armies.
“Agreements were reached on further strengthening cooperation between the land forces in various areas,” the ministry said, without providing details on the planned initiatives.
During the visit, Mbatha held talks with Colonel General Alexander Matovnikov, deputy commander-in-chief of Russia’s land forces.
Matovnikov thanked South Africa’s political and military leadership for what he described as its firm position towards Russia and its support for a shared vision of a multipolar international order.
Mbatha was also shown laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow.
The visit highlights Pretoria’s continuing military relationship with Moscow despite Western pressure over Russia’s war in Ukraine.
South Africa maintains that it follows a non-aligned foreign policy and has resisted calls to condemn Russia outright. At the same time, it has preserved close political, economic and military ties with Moscow through the BRICS group and longstanding relations dating back to Russia’s support for the anti-apartheid struggle.
South Africa’s military contacts with Russia have previously drawn criticism from the United States and European governments, particularly following joint naval exercises involving Russia and China.
Pretoria has rejected accusations that such cooperation undermines its neutrality, arguing that it conducts military engagements with a wide range of international partners.