Durban - The international Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2022 expo was a hive of activity this year, after the hiatus caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The expo which started on Wednesday and ends on Sunday, September 25, is an aerospace and defence exhibition held every two years at Air Force Base (AFB) Waterkloof in Pretoria, and combined a trade exhibition and an air show, featuring international guests.
The event, which brings together air, sea and land craft from across the world, was opened by Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Thandi Modise.
It attracted exhibitors from different continents, a host of national pavilions (an official country participation in an event or exhibition, aimed to display the essence of a country, their industries, regions, companies or a combination of these), as well as the world’s leading aerospace and defence manufacturers.
The air show featured demonstration, mobility track demonstrations, parachute drops and aerobatic displays.
The event was hosted by the South African (SA) Aerospace Maritime Defence Industries Association (AMD).
The administration of the show is usually rotated among partners AMD, Armscor, the Commercial Aviation Association Southern Africa (CAASA) and supported by the Department of Defence, which oversees the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), which comprises the armed forces of South Africa.
Among many, the US Africa Command (AFRICOM), US Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, United States Air Force, US Department of Defence (DoD) and US Department of State, all participated at the AAD2022.
The SA Air Force band mesmerised the crowds at the expo in the spirit of Heritage Month.
SUNDAY TRIBUNE