The 12th biennial Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) trade exhibition and air show will be held from 18 to 22 September 2024 at Air Force Base Waterkloof, located on the outskirts of Pretoria. The event's theme is 'Exploring New Paths, Sharing Solutions, Showcasing Innovation and Capability'. AAD is considered to be one of the top six events of its kind in the world and is the only aerospace and defence exhibition and air show on the continent.
The AAD is presented in partnership with South Africa’s Aerospace, Maritime and Defence Association (AMD), the Armaments Corporation of South Africa SOC Limited (Armscor), and the Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa (CAASA), in collaboration with the South African Department of Defence and Military Veterans (DOD).
More than half of the available exhibition space has already been booked and confirmed, which is a significant vote of confidence for the event. It has continued to record success and is truly in a class of its own. The event will see exhibitors coming from several countries, including the United States, Belgium, and China. The exhibitors include Sweden’s SAAB, Airbus, Turkish Aerospace Industries, and L3Harris Technologies. The event has been designed to provide the perfect platform to strengthen existing partnerships and establish new ones within the defence and related industries.
This year’s AAD will introduce several hubs that showcase the latest innovations. For instance, there are Energy and General Aviation hubs, as well as a third hub that features drone and anti-drone technologies. Drone operators can book space to demonstrate live at AAD through the UAV Hub online by visiting www.aadexpo.co.za.
“As organisers, we want to position the country as the global pinnacle of innovation, excellence, and a preferred investment destination. We anticipate that more than 30,000 trade visitors will engage with over 300 exhibitors. Visitors can also attend our maiden conference edition to hear thought leaders in the industry, academia, and the defence sector provide insights into topical issues that directly impact the industry. Furthermore, we project at least 60,000 visitors will attend the public air show days to witness the exhilarating aerobatics spectacle,” says Ms Nakedi Phasha, Exhibition Director at AAD
The AAD has a unique youth development programme (YDP) that focuses on exposing youth from disadvantaged and marginalized communities to science and technology disciplines, as well as related career opportunities. In 2022, over 9,000 learners participated in the YDP initiative hosted by AAD. This year, the base expects to host 12,000 learners from all nine provinces to benefit from this impactful programme.
The AAD has a significant economic impact on South Africa's economy, making it a standout event. International visitors to AAD 2022 contributed over R135 million to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), while public and trade visitors generated a staggering R150 million in revenue. The event also raised R65 million in taxation revenue and created more than 1,350 jobs, which highlights its importance on the Southern African landscape.
“Looking to the future, our focus will be on further increasing international participation, fostering collaborations, and exploring new sponsorship and partnership opportunities to grow the event’s footprint into Africa. We want to provide our partners with a premier event that contributes to the global aerospace and defence market,” concludes Ms Phasha.
If you are an exhibitor and interested in booking a space for the upcoming aviation event, please contact us as soon as possible through our website at www.aadexpo.co.za. The available spots are limited, and there are only a few stands left for booking. Tickets for the general public will be available for purchase soon. If you are passionate about aviation or just starting in the field, we invite you to join us for what promises to be an amazing event.
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