Trade show · Centurion, South Africa · Major show
AAD - Africa Aerospace and Defence Exhibition 2028
Aviation, Aerospace · Defence, Military · Wedding
VenueWaterkloof Air Force BaseCenturion, South Africa · where the 2020 edition was; venue not yet confirmed
RunningSince 2008Irregular · 5 editions on record
Last checked11 Nov 2026Organiser website checked
Dates announced by the organiser. We read them on aadexpo.co.za on 11 Nov 2026. Dates can change; we check again as the show gets closer.
Key numbers
- Exhibitors
- 400in 2014, organiser's figure
- Visitors
- 13,000in 2014, organiser's figure
- Editions on record
- 5first in 2008
About AAD - Africa Aerospace and Defence Exhibition
The Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) is Africa’s only aerospace and defence expo that combines both a trade exhibition and an air show. Held biennially in the City of Tshwane – South Africa’s administrative capital, the AAD Expo is one of South Africa’s largest contributors to the country’s GDP in show years, and is regarded as a national asset.
From our listing of the 2020 edition. Details may have changed since.
Who visits
Trade visitors, last 2 days public admitted
As listed for 2008.
Exhibitors in 2012
170 companies listed for the 2012 edition.
- - Abeking & Rasmussen
- - Advanced Technologies and Engineering
- - Aero Innnovations
- - Aerodata
- - Aerografix Creative Models
- - Aerospace Long-march International Trade Co.,Ltd
- - Aerosud (Pty) Ltd
- - Afrikor (pty) Ltd
- - Agusta Westland
- - Airfleet Magazine
- - Airvan Africa (Pty) Ltd
- - Alenia Aeronautica
- - Al-Mussallh
- - AME Technologies
- - American Technologies Network
- - Amphenol Terrier Technologies Systems
- - ARMSCOR
- - Astra Aircraft Corporation
- - Atlas Elektronik
- - Austal
- - Autometer (Pty) Ltd
- - BAE Systems
- - Ballistic Body Armour
- - Beretta
- - Boeing Company
- - Brahmos
- - Britten-Norman
- - CAE
- - Cairn Aviation
- - Cape Town Flight Training Centre
- - Cape Town Flying Club
- - Cargotec UK Ltd
- - Carl Zeiss Optronics (Pty) Ltd
- - CCII Systems (Pty) Ltd
- - CCO Creative Consulting
- - Century Avionics
- - CETC International
- - CEW Media Group
- - China Aviation Industrial Base (CAIB)
- - China Electronics Corporation
- - China National Aero-Technology
- - China National Precision Machinery
- - China North Industries Corp
- - China Shipbuilding and Offshore International
- - China Shipbuilding Trading Company (Pty) Ltd
- - Clip-Lok Simpak SA (Pty) Ltd
- - Cobham
- - CODECHAMP/SEMIP
- - Combat King Monthly
- - Comet Aviation Supplies
- - Common Sense Technologies
- - CSIR (DPSS)
- - CSIR/AISI
- - Cummins SA (Pty) Ltd
- - D.S. Arms Inc
- - Dafar International Inc
- - Damen Shipyards Cape Town (Pty) Ltd
- - DCNS
- - Denel (PTY) Ltd
- - Dept: Science & Technology
- - Diehl Defence Holding GmbH
- - Drakensberg Truck Manufactureres
- - Du Pont
- - EADS
- - EADS SA (Pty) Ltd
- - EDCS/Ametek Aerospace and Defence
- - Elektronikteil
- - Elmer Communication Systems
- - Embraer
- - ERA Systems Corporation
- - Eurocopter Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd
- - Execujet Aviation Group
- - Fields Wear
- - Flight Safety International
- - FLIR Commercial Systems
- - FN Herstal, S.A.
- - Fr.Fassmer GmbH & Co.KG
- - Fr.Lurssen Werft
- - G&L Agencies (PELICAN-HARDIGG)
- - Gelvenor Textiles
- - Global Armour SA (Pty) Ltd
- - Global Composite Solutions
- - Grintek Ewation (Pty) Ltd
- - Harris Corporation
- - Helimedia
- - Holdfast Systems
- - ICP REVA
- - IHS Jane's
- - Imperial Armour
- - Inala Technologies
- - Interjet
- - International Aero Engines
- - International Flight Clearances/Elite Jet
- - ITS Int Training & Support
- - Itshitshi Aviation Tools & Supplies
- - IVEMA
- - Jaguar Land Rover (SA) Pty Ltd
- - Jstex Wintex Co, Ltd
- - Junghans Microtec GmbH
- - Kallman Worldwide
- - Kärcher Futuretech GmbH
- - Konstrukta-Industry
- - LAAD 2011
- - Landing Eyes Manufacturing & Distribution
- - Lcroix Defence and Security
- - Litson and Associates
- - Lockheed Martin
- - Lonex Technology Co Ltd
- - Lyra (Pvt) Ltd
- - Magnum Hi-Tec
- - MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG
- - MBDA
- - Mercedes-Benz SA
- - MH Aviation Services
- - Military and Security Equipment
- - Moench Group
- - MOH-9 Armour Ceramics
- - MRS Techniques
- - MTL Group
- - National Airways Corporation
- - National Instruments
- - Navantia
- - New Way Motor and Diesel Engineering
- - News Centre of SASTIND
- - Northrop Grumman LITEF GmbH
- - Optix Co
- - OTT Technologies (Pty) Ltd
- - Paramount Logistics Corporation
- - Placo
- - Plexsa Manufacturing
- - POLY Technologies Inc
- - Protoclea (Pty) Ltd
- - Radiant Antennas
- - Redeployable Camp Systems SA(Pty) Ltd
- - Redlinx
- - Republic Arms
- - Reutech
- - Rippel Effect Systems (Pty) Ltd
- - Rostekhnologii (Russian Technologies) State Corp
- - Rotorway SA
- - Rugged Interconnect Technologies
- - SAA Technical (Pty) Ltd
- - SAAB AB
- - SAAB SA
- - Safomar Holding (Pty) Ltd
- - Schuler AG
- - Shephard Group
- - Siemens & SA Shipyards
- - Singapore Technologies Kintetics
- - Sir Dicks
- - Small Arms Defense Journal
- - South African Civil Aviation Authority
- - Tank Clinic
- - Teijin Aramid GmbH
- - Tellumat (Pty) Ltd
- - Thales South Africa (Pty) Ltd
- - Thoroughbred Technologies (Pty) Ltd
- - ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems AG
- - Trijicon
- - UK MoD - DSA Capital Equipment Sales
- - UKTI DSO
- - Ultralife Corporation
- - Ultraquip Business Trust
- - Undersercretariat for Defence Industries
- - URI Vehicle Manufacturing (Pty) Ltd
- - Veecraft Marine cc
- - WKC GmbH & Co. KG
- - Xi' Anure Well Import & Export
- - Yang Zhou Liren Industry Co. Ltd
- - Zodiac Aerospace
Editions
| Year | Dates | Where | Exhibitors | Visitors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2028 | 27 Sep – 1 Oct 2028 Dates announced | Waterkloof Air Force Base Centurion, South Africa | — | — |
| 2020 | 16–20 Sep 2020 | Waterkloof Air Force Base Centurion, South Africa | — | — |
| 2014 | 17–21 Sep 2014 | Air Force Base Pretoria, South Africa | 400 | 13,000 |
| 2012 | 19–23 Sep 2012 | Air Force Base Pretoria, South Africa | 400 | 13,000 |
| 2008 | 17–21 Sep 2008 | Air Force Base Pretoria, South Africa | — | — |
Past editions from the bvents archive (2008–2019) and organiser figures where they were published.
Questions
When is AAD - Africa Aerospace and Defence Exhibition?
27 Sep – 1 Oct 2028 — dates announced on the organiser's website.
Where is it held?
The 2020 edition was at Waterkloof Air Force Base, Centurion, South Africa. The organiser hasn't confirmed the venue for this edition yet.
How often does it take place?
Irregular, judging by the 5 editions on record since 2008.