Russian Helicopters, Grenade Launchers and Patrol Boats Feature at AAD 2026.
Russia’s BK-16E high speed boat.
Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport is using the 2026 edition of the Africa Aerospace and Defence exhibition to present a broad range of military and security equipment aimed at potential customers across the continent.
The company’s display at AAD 2026 covers several areas, including infantry weapons, military aviation, naval equipment and specialist security technology.
The exhibition provides Rosoboronexport with an opportunity to demonstrate equipment it says has potential for African armed forces and security organisations, while also holding discussions with government and industry representatives.
Among the systems attracting attention is the RPG-29M grenade launcher, which is being presented in Africa for the first time. Developed by Rostec and subsequently modernised, the system reflects the Russian defence industry’s effort to update established weapon designs using experience from recent combat operations.
A lighter grenade launcher
The RPG-29M is intended to provide infantry units with a portable weapon for engaging targets on the battlefield.
According to Rosoboronexport, the modernised version has undergone several changes designed to improve its usability. The company highlights a three-fold reduction in launcher weight, alongside a day-and-night thermal imaging sight with integrated fire-control capabilities.
The system is also offered with an expanded range of ammunition.
Thermal imaging is particularly relevant for military forces operating in environments where visibility can change rapidly. Unlike conventional sights, thermal systems detect differences in heat, allowing targets to be identified in darkness and other conditions where ordinary optical systems may be less effective.
Rosoboronexport says the RPG-29M has demonstrated its effectiveness in what it describes as modern real-world conditions.
The appearance of the system at AAD is also significant from a marketing perspective, as the exhibition gives the Russian exporter a platform to present the weapon directly to African defence delegations.
Russia’s Sukhoi-57 Fighter Jet.
Helicopters and combat aircraft
The aviation section of Rosoboronexport’s AAD display focuses on Russian military aircraft designed for different operational roles.
The company plans to showcase the Mi-171Sh military transport helicopter and the Mi-28NE attack helicopter, along with the Yak-130 combat trainer aircraft.
The Mi-171Sh is based on the wider Mi-8/17 family of helicopters, a platform that has been used extensively by military and government operators in different countries. Its transport role makes it suitable for moving personnel and equipment, while the broader family has also been adapted for other missions.
The Mi-28NE, by contrast, is designed primarily for attack missions. It is intended to provide armed forces with a dedicated helicopter platform for supporting ground forces and engaging targets.
The Yak-130 occupies a different part of the military aviation spectrum. Developed as a combat trainer, it is designed to help prepare pilots for operating modern combat aircraft while also retaining the ability to undertake combat missions.
Together, the three aircraft illustrate the range of aviation capabilities being promoted by Rosoboronexport at the exhibition.
A fast boat for coastal operations
The Russian company’s naval offering includes the BK-16E high-speed transport and landing boat.
The vessel has been designed with littoral operations in mind, meaning missions carried out close to shore. Its intended users include special operations forces, naval organisations and other law-enforcement agencies.
One of the boat’s notable characteristics is its multi-role design.
The BK-16E can be configured for command duties, fire support, search-and-rescue missions and medical evacuation. This flexibility could make the platform relevant to organisations that need a single boat to perform different tasks.
Depending on its configuration, the vessel can carry weapons including 12.7mm and 7.62mm machine guns, grenade launchers and remotely controlled weapon stations.
For African countries with extensive coastlines, rivers, ports or other waterways, such platforms can have applications beyond conventional naval warfare, including maritime security and emergency response.
Security technology beyond weapons
Rosoboronexport is also using AAD 2026 to promote equipment designed for security and detection tasks.
Its exhibition will include devices capable of detecting explosives, hazardous chemicals and toxic substances, biological agents and narcotic drugs.
This part of the display broadens the company’s offering beyond conventional military hardware.
Detection equipment can be relevant to armed forces, police, border agencies, emergency services and other security organisations. Such systems may be used at transport hubs, border crossings, military facilities or during operations involving potentially hazardous materials.
The inclusion of these products reflects the increasingly broad nature of the security market, where governments often require equipment capable of addressing both conventional military threats and other risks.
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Russian attack helicopter.
Building defence-industry relationships
The exhibition is also about business relationships rather than equipment displays alone.
Rosoboronexport says it will hold meetings and negotiations with representatives of African armed forces and security agencies during the AAD 2026 business programme.
These discussions are expected to cover potential equipment requirements as well as broader forms of cooperation.
An important part of the company’s approach is its focus on links with African defence industries. Rosoboronexport says it intends to continue strengthening relationships with local defence companies with the aim of developing technology partnerships in the region.
Such partnerships can involve more than the direct sale of finished military equipment. Depending on the arrangements between governments and companies, defence cooperation can include training, maintenance, technical support, industrial participation and technology-related cooperation.
For African countries seeking to develop domestic defence-industrial capabilities, this can be an important consideration when assessing international suppliers.
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What AAD 2026 means for Rosoboronexport
The presence of Rosoboronexport at AAD 2026 gives the company a platform to showcase a broad portfolio to an African audience at a single event.
Its display covers the battlefield at several levels — from infantry weapons and autonomous or specialist systems to helicopters, aircraft, naval platforms and security equipment.
The company is also using the exhibition to emphasise its relationships with African military and security organisations and to explore opportunities for closer industrial cooperation.
For visitors, the exhibition provides a snapshot of the Russian systems being marketed for the continent and the different roles they are designed to fulfil.
For Rosoboronexport, the wider objective is clear: combine equipment sales with longer-term relationships and industrial partnerships as it seeks to expand its engagement with African defence markets.
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