Top 10 Defence Deals in Africa: Who’s Buying What and Why?

From the corridors of international arms expos to closed-door government negotiations, African states are signing increasingly significant defence deals that reflect their shifting threat perceptions, power ambitions, and evolving partnerships. The continent’s top defence acquisitions—ranging from fighter jets and missile systems to drones and naval assets—reveal a strategic tilt toward modernisation, deterrence, and autonomy.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Africa accounted for over 5.3% of global arms imports between 2019 and 2023. This article ranks and analyses the ten most consequential defence deals signed across Africa in recent years—what was bought, from whom, and why it matters.

1. Egypt’s Rafale Jet Deal with France (2021)

• Deal Value: $4.5 billion
• Assets: 30 Dassault Rafale fighter jets, munitions, training, and maintenance support
• Partner: France (Dassault Aviation)

Strategic Intent: Enhances Egypt’s long-range strike and air superiority capability, particularly over Libya and the Eastern Mediterranean. Positions Egypt as the only African nation with 4.5-gen fighters.

2. Morocco’s F-16V Upgrade and Purchase (2019–2023)

• Deal Value: $4.25 billion
• Assets: 25 new F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft and upgrades for 23 existing units
• Partner: United States (Lockheed Martin)

Strategic Intent: Boosts Morocco’s regional deterrence vis-à-vis Algeria and enhances integration with NATO-aligned systems.

3. Nigeria’s A-29 Super Tucano Acquisition (2021)

• Deal Value: $496 million
• Assets: 12 A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft, training, and precision munitions
• Partner: United States (Sierra Nevada Corp./Embraer)

Strategic Intent: Designed to support counterinsurgency campaigns in the North-East. Emphasises tactical precision, ISR, and close air support.

4. Algeria’s Su-30MKA and MiG-29SMT Procurement (Ongoing)

• Deal Value: Estimated $2.7 billion
• Assets: Multirole fighters, air-launched cruise missiles, EW pods
• Partner: Russia (Sukhoi and MiG)

Strategic Intent: Maintains Algeria’s air dominance in the Maghreb, deters regional threats, and strengthens military ties with Moscow.

5. Kenya’s C-27J Spartan Transport Aircraft (2021–2023)

• Deal Value: $200 million
• Assets: 3 tactical transport aircraft with medevac and cargo reconfiguration
• Partner: Italy (Leonardo)

Strategic Intent: Supports ATMIS logistics, humanitarian missions, and rapid troop deployment in East Africa.

6. Angola’s Su-30K Fighter Jet Upgrade (2022)

• Deal Value: $1 billion
• Assets: 12 overhauled Su-30K multirole fighters and avionics package
• Partner: Belarus (558th Aircraft Repair Plant)

Strategic Intent: Reinforces national airspace protection and expands Angola’s strategic reach in Southern Africa.

7. Rwanda’s Turkish Bayraktar TB2 Drone Acquisition (2022)

• Deal Value: Undisclosed (estimated $60–80 million)
• Assets: Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) and ground stations
• Partner: Turkey (Baykar Technologies)

Strategic Intent: Boosts ISR and kinetic strike capability for border security and counterterrorism.

8. Ethiopia’s Wing Loong Drone Procurement (2021–2022)

• Deal Value: Estimated $100 million
• Assets: Wing Loong I/II armed drones and guided munitions
• Partner: China (AVIC)

Strategic Intent: Used in Tigray conflict; expands Ethiopia’s unmanned warfare capacity amid rising internal and cross-border threats.

9. Tunisia’s Black Hawk Helicopters Deal (2023)

• Deal Value: $350 million
• Assets: 8 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and associated support
• Partner: United States (Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin)

Strategic Intent: Upgrades Tunisia’s air mobility for anti-terror operations and internal stability in mountainous regions.

10. Ghana’s Armoured Vehicle and ISR Suite Package (2022)

• Deal Value: $80 million
• Assets: Marauder and Mbombe armoured vehicles, UAVs, and surveillance systems
• Partner: South Africa (Paramount Group)

Strategic Intent: Equips Ghana’s army with mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles for internal security and Sahel spillover mitigation.

Patterns and Implications: What These Deals Reveal

• Shift to Air Power and ISR: 6 of the top 10 deals involve air platforms or UAVs, indicating a priority shift toward airborne dominance and surveillance.
• Diversification of Partners: Africa’s defence buyers are sourcing from the U.S., China, Turkey, France, Russia, and South Africa—signalling a multi-alignment approach.
• Counterterrorism as a Driver: 8 of the deals cite asymmetric threats as primary motivations, underscoring the centrality of terrorism in defence strategy.
• Rising Sophistication: The nature of platforms acquired—F-16Vs, Rafales, TB2s—reflects a move beyond basic needs to technologically advanced warfare.

Challenges and Outlook

• Sustainability: High-end platforms require robust MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul) ecosystems, which are lacking in most countries.
• Training and Doctrine Gaps: Many acquisitions outpace doctrinal updates or pilot/operator training capacity.
• Budget Volatility: Fluctuating revenues (oil, mining) affect defence spending continuity.

Conclusion: Deals that Define a Decade

Africa’s top defence deals reflect more than procurement—they signal intent. They reveal how African states define their threats, choose their partners, and position themselves in a multipolar security order. Whether these acquisitions translate into enduring capability will depend on logistics, training, and political will. But for now, the message is clear: Africa is no longer just a buyer—it is a battlefield of influence, strategy, and high-stakes procurement.

Africa’s Defence Deal Snapshot (2021–2024):

• Estimated cumulative value of top 10 deals: Over $13 billion
• Top supplier nations: U.S., Russia, France, Turkey, China
• Most procured categories: Fighter jets, UAVs, transport aircraft, armoured vehicles
• Strategic regions leading procurement: North Africa, West Africa, Horn of Africa