Africa Aerospace and Defence
Biennial South African aerospace and defence trade show and air show at AFB Waterkloof.
At Africa Aerospace and Defence 2026, held from 16 to 20 September, Pakistan's state-owned Global Industrial & Defence solutions marketed fuzes, warheads and booster motors to other loitering-munition makers.
Last refreshed: 1 October 2026
Timeline for Africa Aerospace and Defence
Mentioned in: Ondas buys fuze maker GATE for US$205m
Drones: Industry & DefenceBackground
Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) is a biennial South African exhibition that pairs a defence trade show with a public air show. Its venue since 2012 has been Air Force Base Waterkloof in Centurion, in the City of Tshwane, after earlier editions at AFB Ysterplaat in Cape Town. Partners include Armscor, South Africa's Department of Defence and the industry association AMD.
The 2026 edition ran three trade days followed by a two-day public air show. It drew more than 300 exhibitors and delegations from more than 50 countries, and unmanned systems dominated the floor. Quwa reported on 16 September that GIDS was using the show to sell munition parts on the open market, a challenge to firms that treat fuzes as a scarce chokepoint.
Products marketed at AAD signal a supplier's export intent, not a confirmed order.