The Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) Expo was born from the Aerospace Africa civilian exhibition that originates from the 1975 Lanseria Air Show and the DEXSA military exhibition.
The first in the series of aviation exhibitions titled “Aviation Africa” was initiated by the Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa (CAASA) and World Airnews and was held at Lanseria Airport in October 1975.
A trade expo and an airshow
The event comprised both a trade exhibition and an airshow.
During the trade exhibition, companies in the aviation industry were able to showcase their products in an indoor exhibition area, book hospitality chalets and display their aircraft in a static aircraft park.
The airshow was open to the public and offered visitors the opportunity of a close-up of international aircraft.
1995: The celebration of the SAAF ’75 expo
In 1995, the Aerospace Maritime and Defence Industries Association (AMD) organised the hugely successful SAAF ’75 Expo in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the South African Air Force (SAAF), which is the second oldest air force in the world.
1998: CAASA and AMD join hands to form Aerospace Africa
Following the year-on-year growth of the event and the phenomenal success of the SAAF ’75 Expo, there was an increasing demand for an expanded military exhibition and airshow.
In 1998, the two trade associations – CAASA and the AMD – collaborated to meet this demand and changed the name of the event to “Aerospace Africa”.
They also relocated the event to a new venue, the Air Force Base (AFB) Waterkloof in Centurion. The amalgamation with AMD led to a greater military influence and the event grew exponentially, with 254 trade exhibitors from 21 countries.
2000: The formation of Africa Aerospace & Defence
In 2000, Aerospace Africa was combined with another major event, the biennial DEXSA (Defence Exhibition of South Africa), to form Africa Aerospace & Defence (AAD).
The event was jointly hosted by the AMD, the Armament Corporation of South Africa (Armscor) and CAASA, with substantial support from the national government and the Department of Defence (DOD) as well as the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition.
The result was the establishment of the most comprehensive civil and military aerospace and defence-related show ever held on the African continent. At the event, the SAAF also celebrated its 80th anniversary with an Air Tattoo.
Record numbers by 2004
By 2004, the AAD exhibition attracted more than 428 exhibitors, which were made up of 194 direct exhibitors and 234 indirect exhibitors. These exhibitors came from 25 countries. A total of 52 delegations representing 37 countries visited the event.
The coming of age of the AAD in 2006
By 2006, the AAD has truly come of age and it was held at the AFB Ysterplaat in Cape Town for the first time, from 20-24 September.
More than 22,000 people registered for the trade exhibition on the three trade days, with 120,000 visiting the airshow on the two public days.
Defence ministers and industry leaders attend AAD 2008
The AAD 2008 was held at AFB Ysterplaat in Cape Town again from 17-21 September and it attracted significant numbers of participants.
Almost 80 officially invited foreign delegations attended AAD 2008, including 20 defence ministers, many from African countries. Some 13,000 trade visitors provided the 400 exhibitors from 35 countries with the opportunity to market their products to the African continent.
2010: The final hosting of the AAD expo in Cape Town
Having sold out months before opening day (21-25 September 2010) Ysterplaat bade farewell on a high with 350 direct exhibitors and 150 indirect exhibitors from 31 countries around the world.
13,000 trade visitors flocked to the show during the first three days of the trade exhibition, with a record number of 80,000 plus members of the public attending the airshow on the two public days.
There were also 77 participating aircraft (civil and military planes), with 61 high-level delegations from 16 countries that were on ministerial, chief of defence or chief of services level.
The AAD expo returns to City of Tshwane in 2012
The AAD 2012 returned to AFB Waterkloof in the City of Tshwane from 19-21 September.
The trade exhibition attracted more than 40,000 trade visitors from 28 countries, 120 visiting delegations and 84 aircraft.
The airshow was attended by more than 92,983 members of the public.
Africa Aerospace and Defence 2024: Showcasing the future of aviation and defence technology
The 12th edition of Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) is scheduled to take place from 18-22 September at AFB Waterkloof. As the largest and only aerospace and defence exhibition and airshow on the African continent, AAD holds a prominent position in South Africa’s and the continent’s defence industry calendar.
The trade show has grown significantly with each edition, attracting major industry players globally to showcase cutting-edge technological innovations in aviation, aerospace and defence. It also provides a critical platform for dialogue and discourse on international defence, aerospace and related best practices.
AAD is organised under the guidance and custodianship of a partnership among Armscor, CAASA and AMD, with support from the DOD.
The event also receives institutional support from various government departments, including State Security, Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and Department of International Relations and Cooperation, as well as from the South African Police Service and the Tshwane Metro Police.
The AAD exhibition and airshow serves as a pivotal platform for the aerospace and defence sectors, fostering innovation, collaboration and growth within the industry. This biennial event is highly anticipated, not only for its role in showcasing the latest technological advancements but also for its ability to bring together industry leaders, government officials and military representatives from around the world.
Powering economic growth through aerospace and defence innovation
The economic impact of AAD is profound, as the event stimulates business activities through numerous business deals and contracts, creates jobs both during and after the event, and attracts significant foreign investment. Additionally, it boosts local economies through spending by exhibitors and visitors on accommodation, transportation and other services. In 2022, international visitors contributed more than R135m to SA’s GDP, while public and trade visitors generated an impressive R150m in revenue. The event also raised R65m in taxation revenue and highlighted the importance and impact of AAD on our local and national economy. over 1,350 jobs.
AAD provides a stage for local suppliers and SMMEs, supports local industries and encourages innovation, enhancing the global competitiveness of the African aerospace and defence sectors. The event’s influence extends beyond immediate economic benefits, contributing to long-term industry growth and development and inspiring future generations to engage with these dynamic fields.
