The South African government has formally declared the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) exhibition a national event. It is hosted by several governmental bodies, including the Department of Defence and Military Veterans, the Armaments Corporation of South Africa (Armscor), the South African Aerospace Maritime and Defence Industries Association (AMD) and the Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa (CAASA). 

This recognition signals government’s renewed commitment to strengthening the country’s aerospace, defence and advanced manufacturing capacity, says AAD exhibition director Nakedi Phasha.

“This decision elevates the platform’s strategic role and positions it as a national point of engagement where government, industry and global partners align priorities and explore long-term collaboration.”

National recognition not only adds status but also draws stronger international participation and unlocks investment opportunities.

“It also broadens the platform’s relevance by giving companies outside the traditional defence environment,  including those in mining, information and communication technology, engineering and high-precision manufacturing, a space to showcase dual-use technologies that support both industrial and national capability,” she adds.

The exhibition  offers an even stronger foundation for research partnerships, technology development and innovation-driven cooperation, shifting the platform from a conventional trade show to a strategic national asset.

The AAD exhibition, held every two years at the Waterkloof Air Force Base, in Tshwane is the continent’s only tri-service showcase covering air, land and sea capability.  

The event’s attracting buyers, procurement teams and senior delegations has helped South Africa remain competitive in the global aerospace and defence supply chain, she says.

Further, the platform’s focused business-to-business and business-to-government environment enables local companies to demonstrate capability directly to international decision-makers, strengthening export prospects and reinforcing South Africa’s status as a reliable supplier.

Global supply chain disruption and increased geopolitical tension have made this engagement even more important.

Phasha notes that the AAD organisers and its partners, Armscor, the AMD and CAASA, remain committed to ensure local manufacturers remain connected to international markets despite growing uncertainty.

“Through collaboration with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, South African firms also participate in key international exhibitions under the national pavilion programme, widening their visibility and improving export readiness.”

Efforts to broaden African and international participation ahead of the 2026 edition are already under way.

The organising delegation has promoted the event at major global shows, including the International Defence Exhibition and Conference, the Naval Defence Exhibition, the Defence and Security Equipment International Exhibition and the International Defence Industry Fair.

“These engagements help position the South African industry within global networks and secure interest from government and corporate delegations,” she adds.

Hub For Innovation

Phasha says South Africa’s sustained ability to host a large, credible and internationally recognised defence exhibition has helped position the country as a hub for innovation in aerospace, defence and advanced engineering.

“While other African markets have explored similar initiatives, the AAD exhibition remains the most established, giving global partners confidence in South Africa as a long-term collaborator.”

The platform’s impact extends well beyond defence, with international partnerships formed at the exhibition having resulted in joint ventures, co-production agreements and meaningful technology transfer into South Africa’s industrial base.

Phasha adds that universities, research institutions and technology bodies also use the event to connect with industry, helping to support innovation across civilian aviation, space, robotics and advanced manufacturing.

Skills development remains another central pillar of the exhibition. She notes that the Youth Development Programme reaches more than 10 000 learners across all provinces, introducing young people to engineering, aviation, defence technologies and robotics.

“It gives learners access to hands-on experiences and mentorship they would not normally encounter, and this helps build South Africa’s future technical talent pipeline.”

Reflecting on the exhibition’s 25-year history, Phasha says one of its most significant milestones has been recovering from the disruption of Covid-19 and restoring the event to stability.

“That period sharpened our focus on quality buyers, targeted networking and innovation-driven solutions,” she explains, adding that these principles now guide planning for the 2026 edition.

Phasha concludes that public–private partnerships will remain essential to the platform’s long-term relevance.