Russia sends two nuclear bombers to South Africa on a training mission

Two Russian nuclear-powered bombers landed in South Africa on a training mission on Wednesday. The landing of the bombers coincided with the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, opening the Russia-Africa summit designed to increase Russian influence.  According to the South African National Defense Force, the Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bombers landed at the Waterkloof air force base in the city of Tshwane. In addition to this, Russia stated that the training exercise was to strengthen military ties with their South African counterparts.

A relation based on 'common interests'

After the arrival of the bomber planes, the South African National Defense Force lauded what was termed as strong diplomatic relations between South Africa and Russia. In a statement, it stated that its relation with Russia is solely not political, instead it is based on the common interests both the countries share.

In an address at the two-day Russia-Africa summit in Sochi, Putin said trade between Russia and Africa has doubled in the past five years, adding Russia had pardoned $20 billion South African debts. During the summit, Putin said that many Russian organizations had worked alongside their African counterparts belonging to different sectors in the economy.

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A motive to increase its influence

The motive of the first summit is to increase Russia's influence in terms of business and increase its influence that has decreased after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, which backed leftist governments and movements across the continent throughout the Cold War. 

Russia is starting almost from scratch. Even though they had been quite successful in selling weapons to African countries but is far behind in trade terms.

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$20 billion in trade

According to reports, Russia made $20 billion in terms of trade with Africa, but that did not lead to Russia being among the continent's top five biggest trade partners for goods. In addition to this, the list was headed by the European Union followed by China, India, the United States of America and the United Arab Emirates.

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(With inputs from agencies)