Madagascar’s armed forces have received military equipment and training support from Russia, marking a notable deepening of defence cooperation as the island nation navigates an ongoing political transition following the removal of its previous government.
The partnership includes the delivery of military hardware alongside specialised training programmes for Malagasy soldiers, aimed at enhancing operational capacity and professional readiness. While neither side disclosed full details of the equipment supplied, officials described the support as part of a broader bilateral security arrangement.
The development comes at a sensitive moment for Madagascar, which has been seeking to stabilise its political and security institutions after months of uncertainty. Authorities have framed the cooperation as a pragmatic move to strengthen national defence and internal security, particularly in the face of challenges such as maritime security threats, organised crime, and regional instability.
Russia has, in recent years, expanded its military footprint across parts of Africa through arms supplies, training missions, and security agreements. Analysts say Moscow’s engagement with Madagascar fits into this wider strategy of building influence by offering security assistance to governments undergoing transition or facing legitimacy pressures.
For Antananarivo, diversifying military partnerships appears to be a strategic choice. While Madagascar has historically cooperated with Western partners, the new engagement with Russia suggests an effort to broaden diplomatic and defence options amid shifting global alignments.
Critics, however, have raised concerns about transparency and long-term implications. Civil society groups have urged the government to clearly outline the scope of the agreement and ensure that foreign military cooperation aligns with democratic oversight and national interests.
Neither the Malagasy defence ministry nor Russian officials have indicated whether the cooperation will expand further, though diplomatic sources suggest additional training phases and technical exchanges are under discussion.
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