South African Weapons to Russia ‘Possible but Doubtful,’ Say Arms Control Experts

A member of the South African Defence Force holds a MK1S grenade launcher manufactured by Milkor, a South African manufacturer, during the Africa Aerospace and Defence Expo on September 20, 2018, at the Waterkloof Air Force base, on the outskirts of Pretoria. (Photo by WIKUS DE WET / AFP) Photo credit should read WIKUS DE WET/AFP via Getty Images

JOHANNESBURG—Several weapons experts with knowledge of the international arms industry have told The Epoch Times it’s “highly unlikely” that South Africa secretly exported weapons or ammunition to Russia.

On 11 May, at a press conference in Pretoria, United States ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety made headlines around the world when he said: “The arming of Russia, by South Africa, with the vessel that landed in Simon’s Town, is fundamentally unacceptable.