South Africa’s top soldier traveled to Moscow on Tuesday for talks aimed at expanding military cooperation with Russia.
Lieutenant General Lawrence Mbatha, chief of the South African Army, met with Russian Colonel General Alexander Matovnikov, deputy commander-in-chief of the Russian land forces. It was Mbatha’s second official visit to Russia.
According to Russia’s Defence Ministry, the two sides discussed joint projects at the army’s General Headquarters focused on improving combat readiness. They also reached agreements to strengthen collaboration between their land forces across several areas.
The Russian ministry said a South African military delegation will also tour military academies and defense companies during the trip.
Earlier in the day, Mbatha laid a wreath at Moscow’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Matovnikov thanked South Africa’s political and military leadership for what he described as a “firm position” on Russia and for sharing a vision of a multipolar world.
The visit comes as South Africa continues to hold a non-aligned position on the war in Ukraine, while maintaining close relations with Moscow through BRICS and other forums.
