South Africa is poised to host the 2026 Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) Exhibition and Conference, as announced by Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, prior to the event's official opening scheduled for Wednesday, September 16.
During a media briefing held on September 15, Minister Motshekga was joined by the Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), General Rudzani Maphwanya, and the Chief of the South African Air Force (SAAF), Lieutenant General Carl Moatshe. Representatives from Armscor, the South African Aerospace, Maritime and Defence Industries Association (AMD), and the Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa (CAASA) were also in attendance.
The briefing addressed the preparedness of the government and the SANDF for the biennial event, along with expectations for exhibitors, delegations, and visitors.
South Africa is ready to host the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) Exhibition and Conference, which opens at Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria on 16 September, Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga said on Tuesday.
“I can say with confidence today that South Africa is once again ready to host AAD 2026, which is expected to attract more than 30 000 trade visitors and dignitaries from more than 30 countries to Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria from 16 to 20 September 2026,” Motshekga said.
Speaking at the media launch, Motshekga said government was determined to ensure the exhibition’s success and use it to demonstrate South Africa’s ability to host major international engagements of strategic importance.
Hosted under the theme “Africa’s Gateway to Defence and Aerospace Collaboration”, AAD is the only aerospace and defence exhibition and air show of its kind on the African continent.
The event is ranked among the world’s leading aerospace and defence exhibitions, serving as a platform for technological innovation, international collaboration, defence diplomacy, trade and investment.
“Since its inception 25 years ago, AAD has grown significantly and has made a meaningful contribution to South Africa’s economy, particularly through tourism, trade, local procurement, job creation and revenue generation,” she said.
Motshekga said South Africa wanted to grow the exhibition’s economic contribution by creating further opportunities for job creation, investment, skills development and industrial growth.
She said AAD would again bring together major global industry players to showcase the latest innovations in aviation, aerospace and defence, while providing a platform for dialogue on international developments, emerging technologies and best practice.
“AAD 2026 will introduce several specialised innovation hubs designed to showcase emerging technologies, innovative solutions and developments across the aerospace and defence industries.”
This year’s exhibition will also place unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) firmly in the spotlight, with large and small unmanned systems expected to feature across the exhibition and flying display. The focus builds on AAD 2022, when the show secured its first regulatory clearance to fly UAVs during the air show.
“This year, we recognise that unmanned systems have evolved from a specialised niche into a core capability of modern air power, becoming one of the fastest-growing areas in defence and aerospace. Their rapid development is reshaping how defence forces plan, train and invest, while creating new opportunities for innovation, collaboration, and technological advancement across the continent and beyond,” she explained.
AAD will also host about 12 000 learners from all nine provinces over the weekend, giving them exposure to innovation, career pathways and educational opportunities in the aerospace and defence sectors.
Motshekga said 33 countries and 287 exhibitors from Africa, Asia, Europe, and North and South America had confirmed their participation in AAD 2026.
SANDF chief General Rudzani Maphwanya described the expo as an opportunity for the public to better understand the work of the armed forces.
Maphwanya said soldiers would demonstrate mini-war scenarios based on real battlefield situations, offering the public insight into the challenges soldiers face in protecting the country.
SAAF chief Lieutenant General Carl Moatshe said the Air Force was ready to fill the skies with the air displays that have become one of the expo’s major attractions.
The five-day event is expected to underline AAD’s role as both a showcase for military capability and a strategic meeting point for industry, government and emerging talent, while reaffirming South Africa’s place in the global aerospace and defence arena.
