In South Africa, the African Air and Defense Show wrapped up its last day of conferences on Friday, September 20. Now it’s time for the air show this weekend, open to the general public. And among the exhibitors present, Turkey is well represented, with a large presentation area and several companies showing off their latest technologies. It must be said that the country has managed to position itself as a rising player in the African market in recent years.
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With our correspondent in South Africa, Claire Bargelès
There Türkiye has focused on developing its own military industry over the past 20 years to reduce its dependence on imports. And now this strategy is finding outlets in Africa, with a major increase in Turkish arms sales. James Kerr, analyst and founder of Orion Consulting, said during this living room” They offer a bit of everything: their drones have been operationally proven, they have developed ground systems and their aerial equipment is also attractive, with Nigeria having bought their helicopters. All this shows that they have a real supply strategy in multiple sectors. »
Military diplomacy
Of the Turkish drones have – for example – been used by Ethiopia, in Tigray, or by the Sahel states. This strategy is accompanied by a whole military diplomacy led by Ankara. And it is accompanied by competitive prices, as Sandile Nlovu, who heads the body representing the South African arms industry (AMD), an industry that targets the same continental market, points out: ” Beyond the traditional competition with the Russians and the Chinese, we must now also take into account the Turks. And beyond their prices, which are attractive, they also offer financing arrangements. »
Ankara has also seduced the Maghreb, providing aid to the government in Tripoli and managing to sell arms to both Morocco and Algeria.
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