More than half of the exhibition space for the 2024 iteration of the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) trade exhibition and air show has now been booked, the organisers have announced. AAD 2024 will take place at Air Force Base Waterkloof, just south of Pretoria, from September 18 to September 22.

The attendance of exhibitors from countries such as Belgium, China and the US has been confirmed. Among the major companies that will be attending will be Airbus, L3Harris Technologies, SAAB, and Turkish Aerospace Industries. 

“As organisers, we want to position the country as the global pinnacle of innovation, excellence, and a preferred investment destination,” affirmed AAD exhibition director Nakedi Phasha. “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.”

To showcase the latest innovations, AAD 2024 will introduce specialist ‘hubs’. One of these will be devoted to energy, and another will be focused on general aviation. The third hub will be devoted to uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs, popularly called ‘drones’) and anti-UAV technologies. Drone operators will be able to book time for live demonstrations through the UAV hub.

Another aspect of AAD is its Youth Development Programme. At AAD 2022, more than 9 000 learners attended the exhibition under the aegis of this programme. This year, the intent is to host 12 000 learners from all nine provinces.

More than R135-million was injected into the South African economy by international visitors attending AAD 2022. The fiscus benefitted to the tune of R65-million in taxation collected. And trade and public visitors generated revenues of R150-million. 

“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,” she highlighted. “We want to provide our partners with a premier event that contributes to the global  aerospace and defence market.”