There are less than 100 days until Africa's premier aerospace and defence exhibition, AAD 2026, kicks off in Pretoria, with organisers getting ready for what promises to be a substantial show given rising South African defence exports and worldwide geopolitical instability.
A countdown event was held at Pretoria's CT Hotel on Monday 8 June and attended by high-level stakeholders including Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga and Chief of the South African Air Force, Lieutenant General Carl Moatshe.
The biennial exhibition, to be held at Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria, is expected to draw industry leaders, innovators, government representatives and defence stakeholders from around the world, reinforcing South Africa's position as a key player in the global aerospace and defence sector.
Exhibition Director Nakedi Phasha said extensive preparations have been undertaken to ensure the success of the event, which is expected to be one of the largest editions to date. “We are looking to host no fewer than 300 exhibitors from more than 40 countries. In terms of official delegations, we have invited more than 200. We are targeting 100 confirmed delegations from 100 countries. No fewer than 60 000 people are expected to pass through the air force base between 16 and 20 September 2026,” she said.
The exhibition will provide a platform for showcasing cutting-edge aerospace, aviation and defence technologies, while creating opportunities for investment, trade partnerships and collaboration across the continent and beyond.
“Africa Aerospace and Defence is a five-day trade exhibition, with the first three days reserved for trade. During those three days, there will be parallel conference events where we will engage global and regional counterparts on various topics covered at AAD.
“We will be demonstrating unmanned aerial technology. We will be showcasing space technology in our space hub. The show itself will feature tri-services, namely air, land and sea. Over the final two days, we will open the air force base to the public,” Phasha said, with the weekend set to host the AAD air show - tickets have now gone on sale.
“AAD itself is an international air show. We have invited international participants, including aircraft exhibitors, and confirmations continue to come in.
“We are looking to host the global defence and aerospace industries over the five days. Today, we are here to confirm that South Africa is ready. It is ready for business,” she said, adding that organisers have “raised the bar” for this year's edition and are ready to shape the future of aerospace and defence.
The City of Tshwane's Alderman Hannes Coetzee emphasised that AAD is Africa's premier aerospace and defence exhibition, with South Africa's aerospace sector supporting thousands of jobs, and contributing to economic competitiveness, advanced manufacturing and innovation.
Gauteng - and the city of Tshwane - are host to key manufacturing and engineering firms as well as research and development and academic institutions. Consequently, aerospace and defence are part of the city's economic revitalisation strategy, Coetzee said. He encouraged the establishment of partnerships to attract further investment and looked forward to welcoming investors in September.
Kholisile Khumalo, Chairperson of the AAD Youth Foundation, noted that June is youth month. He said the Foundation was established on the premise that a young person's postal code should not determine their future. Since 2012, hundreds of youngsters have benefited from Foundation activities such as placing internships and bursaries, with thousands of learners taking part in each edition of AAD.
On Monday, Khumalo signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SciBono to further math and science education for learners. Sci-Bono is a science centre that supports maths, science and technology education and offers innovative, dynamic learning experiences.
MoU signing between the AAD Youth Foundation and SciBono.
In her keynote address, Motshekga said AAD is something that is being taken very seriously by government as it is not just a trade show but a statement about South Africa's sovereignty. “Africa is not just a consumer but a producer of defence equipment,” she emphasised, noting that South Africa exported just over R10 billion worth of defence equipment and munitions in 2025, up nearly three-fold over 2024.
She pledged full government participation in AAD 2026 as the exhibition is an opportunity to showcase the depth of South Africa's industrial capability to the world and show it is open to defence cooperation.
Geopolitical alliances are shifting, and Africa's voice is becoming more important. The threats facing Africa - from terrorism to organised crime, the militarisation of sea lanese, and unstable borders - require a collective and coordinated response, she said. “South Africa is the entry point of serious aerospace and defence engagement.”
Moatshe, addressing a media briefing after the countdown ceremony, said AAD visitors can expect more drones and unmanned systems, as there has been tremendous growth in this sector. Organisers are looking to have large and small drones flying at AAD 2026.
The previous edition of AAD in 2024 had some notable aerial visitors, Moatshe said, such as China's Y-20 airlifter and Brazil's KC-390 multi-role tanker/transporter and this year's edition should have good international participation - a number of countries and air forces have been invited well ahead of time and the response has been good.
Kevin Storie, AAD Excom Chairperson and head of lead partner Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa (CAASA), said visitors should be pleasantly surprised by the number of aircraft in attendance in September - this is being boosted my a memorandum of understanding with the Aero Club of South Africa. On the civil aviation side, he said there will be many exhibitors, with lots of interest expressed. There is also a good chance President Cyril Ramaphosa will attend the show again.
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