Instead of a Tupolev bomber, South African defense air show showcases Chinese aircraft
Rumors that the Russian Air Force would deploy one of its huge Tupolev Tu-160 supersonic bombers to Africa Aerospace & Defence 2024 have not been confirmed.
The four-engine jet was even mentioned as one of the highlights of the event in Pretoria after a delegation of Russian military personnel inspected an air base to receive it.
It would be the second presentation of the variable-geometry wing aircraft developed during the Soviet Union era, which was exhibited at the AAD in 2019 with two examples.
Although the Tu-160 was not present, the South African event had a significant delegation from China.
The Asian country sent a Xian Y-20 tactical transport aircraft from the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) to Waterkloof Air Base.
The aircraft, which resembles the Boeing C-17, is powered by four turbofans and can transport up to 66 tons of cargo.
The Y-20 also brought another highlight to the event, a Z-10ME combat helicopter, which is on static display.
In addition to the Chinese aircraft, another illustrious presence at the AAD is the Embraer C-390 Millennium, a multi-role aircraft seeking an order from the African Air Force.
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