Russia ready to step up military relations with South Sudan
October 15, 2011 (JUBA) – Russia’s state-run arms exporter Rosoboronexport has expressed readiness to sale Russian-made weapons to the newly independent state which seeks to build its defense capabilities.
In a televised statement over the official South Sudan TV, the Deputy Director General of the Russian Federal State Military Enterprise, Alexander Micheev, said his country was ready to support ten projects in South Sudan including defense capacity, besides constitutional process and building of infrastructure.
Rosoboronexport is the sole state Russian company authorized to export weapons, technologies and services. Structured as one of the organs of t Russia’s defense ministry, the status of Rosoboronexport secures the guaranteed state support in all operations.
Russia maintains military-technical cooperation with over 100 countries worldwide.
The Russia offer to support the defense system in South Sudan came just three days after a delegation from the department of defense in the United States of America came to Juba and initiated dialogue on defense with South Sudan.
On Monday the United States delegation and the ministry of defense and SPLA met to agree on the issue.
The deputy minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs in South Sudan, Majak Agot, said the meeting discussed the need for the US defense department to raise the capacity of SPLA as a professional army.
In September 2010 the Sudanese army spokesperson al-Sawarmi Khaled disclosed that Juba had acquired ten 10 Russian helicopters, nine Mi-17V-5 transport helicopters and one Mi-172 variant.
Several months later, SPLA spokesperson, Philip Aguer confirmed the deal saying the ten transport helicopters serves to enhance the mobility of troops but also can be used as gunships to secure the border.
Despite the American efforts to restructure the Sudan People’s Liberation Army(SPLA) and transform it into conventional army, most of the arms used by the former guerrilla group are Russian as AK-47 and Dragunov SVD.
The Somali pirates in September 2008, unveiled the purchase of Russian tanks discovered abroad of an Ukrainian ship they hijacked. The MV Faina transported 33 Russian-made T-72 tanks, 42 anti-aircraft guns and more than 800 tonnes of ammunition.
(ST)
Dinka Dominated SPLA/M
Russia ready to step up military relations with South Sudan
An Army is a collection of armed men obliged to obey one man. Every change in the rules which impairs the principle weakens the army. south sudan will be a strong country by all mean.
build our army is a big deal.
God Bless Dr John Garang for his stand firm. thank to general Kiir for well job done and to be done.
Bol
Russia ready to step up military relations with South Sudan
SPLA is capable and so we only need weapons and things will be fine in the South Sudan. I will thanks Russia and USA if they did this kind of capabilities in the South Sudan. South has endured war planes, tanks, antebovs and many other weapons while we south sudan used only Ak47. Thanks alot
Ahmed Chol
Russia ready to step up military relations with South Sudan
I hope South Sudan does not become a battle ground like Afghanistan.
Leaders of South Sudan need to be careful. It is the grass that suffers when the elephants fight.
Ahmed Chol, Whatever begins in anger, ends in shame
AdierCien
Russia ready to step up military relations with South Sudan
In The Name Of The Trinity God Amen
Acquiring weapons it doesn’t necessarly means you already have an enemy in which you deserve a self defence. No, al-Bashir is our potential neighbour and we deserve rights to live in peacefull relationship. Russian military artillaries are for pride of this country not for ruin and horror. Thank God we shall be in peace forever.
Bush
Russia ready to step up military relations with South Sudan
@Ahmed Chol
What is the reason behind comparing South Sudan to Afghanistan? Do you know the type of people living in Afghanistan, their policies and their religion? You better get reasoning well from today.
Govt of the People
Russia ready to step up military relations with South Sudan
Hope all the military hardware is meant for defence of the people and the sovereign integrity of the ROSS but not to pursue egoistic political Pty agenda by those in power and become dictators. Never should it be
string-attached but rather a fair trade btn the nations involved-not for Russia to push its goals over those of ROSS.
Gunkills
Russia ready to step up military relations with South Sudan
We don’t have problem having military cooperation with any country but not with a country that will go and tell our enemy what we have!
Ahmed Chol
Russia ready to step up military relations with South Sudan
@Bush,
I think you don’t know world politics. Do you know how Afghanistan end up where it is today? The Story began in 1979, probably before you were born. Where Afghanistan is today is a result of struggle between US and Russia (USSR back then). Find that out.
Do you know the relationship that exist between US and Russia today?
If you don’t know, then don’t question my thinking.
Ahmed Chol
'@joanfustermonzo
Russia ready to step up military relations with South Sudan
I think that nowadays South Sudan need maximum of collaboration with maxium countries. Russia could be a good option
gaithok
Russia ready to step up military relations with South Sudan
To defense your nation is not that so simple, event buying such high military wepeons.
we all have that presitage to defense this youngest nation, becarefuly to outsiders trades.
becuase journey of five thousand mile start with one step
kimo
Russia ready to step up military relations with South Sudan
however sophisticated weapons are they will not guarantee wining a war..you win a war only if you have good reasons to fight>>>what taliban have compared with america and NATO…but still they fail to win their war in Afghanistan
Bush
Russia ready to step up military relations with South Sudan
@Ahmed Chol
We are not pro Russia, we are pro America. We aren’t going to implement Russian polices but we can do business with them. Which country do you see in Africa are buying all their weapons and all military hardware only from America? Your name is a curse to you and your family.
padiit gaga
Russia ready to step up military relations with South Sudan
God bless south sudan and our blind President too.Lead him to emitate the educated people leadership.
Runrach
Russia ready to step up military relations with South Sudan
Providing weaponries to SSAF doesn’t mean obtained and revenge but he/she who have that conception of revenge/retaliate got it deadly wrong, we are not for retaliation nor do we dream of revenging.
But should any of our neighbourhood attempt to do so, then they will definetely face a music of un-invented notes. Otherwise,let them start advising Bashir to pullout his troops peacefully to avoid.