Arms deliveries and Africa Corps training: How Russia is bolstering its presence in Madagascar
Key takeaways
- From deliveries of drones and armoured vehicles to training sessions led by Russian Africa Corps instructors, security cooperation between Madagascar and Russia has intensified since the October 2025 coup.
- By: The FRANCE 24 Observers / Lise KIENNEMANN Left: an image shared by the Russian Embassy in Madagascar shows two Russian armoured vehicles delivered to Madagascar on April 1, 2026.
- The images were released by the Russian Embassy in Madagascar, which noted that "small arms" were also included in the delivery.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
From deliveries of drones and armoured vehicles to training sessions led by Russian Africa Corps instructors, security cooperation between Madagascar and Russia has intensified since the October 2025 coup. Russia’s growing influence is expanding into other sectors as well, raising questions within parts of Malagasy civil society.
By: The FRANCE 24 Observers / Lise KIENNEMANN Left: an image shared by the Russian Embassy in Madagascar shows two Russian armoured vehicles delivered to Madagascar on April 1, 2026. Right: an image released on January 14, 2026, by the Malagasy transitional presidency shows Russian instructors during training for the Malagasy army. © Russian Embassy in Madagascar / Presidency of the Refoundation of the Republic of Madagascar Two tracked BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicles and various pieces of protective gear were among the items showcased during a "Russian military-technical aid handover" ceremony held at the Ivato military camp in Madagascar on April 1.
The images were released by the Russian Embassy in Madagascar, which noted that "small arms" were also included in the delivery. According to the embassy, the equipment is intended to "strengthen [Madagascar’s] defence capabilities and develop the potential of the national armed forces".