The planned departure of Russian Tu-160 strategic bombers to South Africa has been postponed, the National Defense Forces of the Republic of South Africa said in a statement on its Facebook page.
The missile carriers were supposed to arrive at the Waterkloof Airbase in Pretoria in the framework of a friendly visit on October 29 and stay there until November 1, the South African Defense Forces reported earlier. The ministry's statement noted that the Tu-160 had never landed in Africa before. In addition to them, the Russian air group was to include IL-62 and AN-124 aircraft. The visit was intended to "confirm diplomatic ties" between the countries, the South African military said. The 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 key members of the coalition government of South Africa — the liberal Democratic Alliance Party. According to its representatives, the initiative calls into question the neutrality of the republic in international conflicts.
"If South Africa's neutrality is genuine, the Democratic Alliance calls on (President Cyril) Ramaphosa to send Ukraine the same invitation as Russia," she said in a statement.
Last week, the party criticized Ramaphosa for visiting Kazan for the BRICS summit and his words that Russia is a "valuable friend" of South Africa. The African National Congress, led by Ramaphosa, which is in coalition with the Democratic Alliance, called the criticism of the party inappropriate.
According to InTouch Capital Markets analyst Peter Matys, Western investors are concerned about strengthening military cooperation between South Africa and Russia.
"Western countries, led by the United States, can punish South Africa for its relations with Russia," he said.
On October 28, a South African military delegation headed by the commander of the National Defense Forces, Rudzani Mafwanyi, arrived in Moscow. According to the Ministry of Defense, the countries agreed to continue to increase cooperation between the armed forces in various fields, RBC reminds.