Pretoria - The international airshow Africa Aerospace and Defence Exhibition was launched yesterday by Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thandi Modise at Waterkloof Air Force Base, after being cancelled two years ago because of Covid-19.
Aviation, aero-defence and aircraft enthusiasts and business people from across the country – and beyond, have been invited to the six-day extravaganza, which brings together air, sea and land craft from across the world, to a exhibition at the Pretoria air base.
Yesterday Modise, announcing the commencement of the event under the theme, “Exploring New Paths, Sharing Solutions, Showcasing Innovation and Capabilities,” to local and international media, said this year’s event was hosted by the lead partner the SA Aerospace, Maritime, and Defence Industry Association (AMD).
Traditionally, the administration of the show is rotated among partners AMD, Armscor, the Commercial Aviation Association of SA (Caassa), supported by the Department of Defence.
“The show boasts a unique format of a combined exhibition of air, sea and land technologies, a static aircraft display and an air show.
“It takes place every two years and has grown significantly over the past 20 years. Sadly, we were unable to hold it in 2020 due to … the Covid-19 pandemic,” she said.
Modise said the exhibition ranked among the top six defence exhibitions in the world in terms of magnitude, scale and size.
It serves South Africa by contributing to job creation and the fiscus.
The 2018 edition generated a taxation revenue of R160 million and this year, Turkey is the biggest exhibitor, with 25 companies at the Turkish Pavilion, having doubled their space from the 2018 exhibition.
The format will again comprise three trade days and two air show days, which will consist of indoor and outdoor exhibitions; a hospitality chalet line, static aircraft park, capability demonstrations and displays, parallel events with conferences, seminars and Business to Business (B2B) meetings, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) demonstrations.
The public has been invited to attend on Saturday and Sunday.
According to the organisers, there are 200 exhibitors from 24 countries, with nine national pavilions; 70% of exhibitors are local.
AAD 2022 feature two SMME pavilions hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry and Competition and Gauteng Growth and Development Agency. A total of 15 companies will be hosted.
“This is consistent with our understanding that small businesses are a catalyst for the much-needed economic growth and sustained development of our country,” the minister said.
“Youth empowerment has remained an integral component of AAD. The AAD Youth Development Programme will be showcasing advanced aviation, defence, and aerospace technologies to 10 000 learners from South Africa.
Pretoria News