South African Airways, AAD Defense Exhibition

The South African Airshow and Defence Exhibition (AAD) is the only aerospace and defence expo in Africa that combines a trade show with an airshow. In recent years, it has become one of the largest contributors to South Africa’s GDP and is regarded as a national asset.Due to prolonged conflicts in some regions and insufficient investment, Africa’s land transportation networks remain underdeveloped. Consequently, air transport plays a vital role across the continent in fostering economic and trade development, facilitating people-to-people exchanges, and attracting investment. At present, both Russia and China are actively seeking to tap into Africa’s vast aviation market potential. Over the past few years, South Africa has been committed to strengthening its domestic defence capabilities and hopes to collaborate with other nations on joint development initiatives.

The Cape Town Airshow and Defence Exhibition AADlast year covered a total area of 25,000 square meters, hosting 407 exhibitors from China, the United States, Dubai, Turkey, Brazil, Spain, Japan, Italy, Russia, Kenya, and other countries, with attendance reaching 30,000 visitors. (All content herein is copyrighted by Jufair; unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.)

The South African Airshow and Defence Exhibition AAD showcased cutting-edge military and civil aviation technologies, drawing participation from leading manufacturers such as Boeing and Airbus. The lineup featured not only civilian aircraft models from Boeing and Airbus but also a striking array of military aircraft and firearms from various nations. In addition to official defense industry enterprises, Chinese exhibitors included specialized vehicle manufacturers, aviation model makers, and companies producing military apparel, footwear, helmets, and protective ballistic gear.

South African Airways, AAD Defense Exhibition tickets are e-tickets. Domestic and international visitors must complete online pre-registration with real-name passport verification. After purchase, the organizer verifies visitor identity. Visitors who do not meet entry requirements may need to submit additional documents. Once approved, you will receive email confirmation or a QR code. On site, present your original passport and confirmation letter to collect a paper badge, or scan the QR code to enter.

Partial exhibitor directory and exhibitor list for South African Airways, AAD Defense Exhibition: Milkor (Pty) Ltd, Lisheng Communications Co., Ltd., CETC Wuhu Diamond Aircraft Manufacture co.ltd, Ziyan UAS, Denel SOC LTD, LS telcom AG, and others. The 2026 edition is expected to feature 500+ exhibiting companies. To obtain the full exhibitor directory (including booth numbers and contact details), please visit the official exhibition website or contact Jufair.