Africa Aerospace and Defence Expo

The African Aerospace and Defence Expo (AAD) is an aerospace and defence exhibition held every two years at AFB Waterkloof, in Centurion, Gauteng, South Africa. The exhibition combines a trade exhibition and an air show.

African Aerospace and Defence Expo
A Mango Airlines 737 flies in formation with the South African Air Force Silver Falcons aerobatic team at AAD 2014
Statusactive
Genretrade exhibition and air show
DatesSeptember
Frequencybiannual
VenueWaterkloof Air Force Base
Location(s)Centurion, Gauteng
CountrySouth Africa
Established1975
Attendance33,862 (2016)[1]
Organized byAfrican Aerospace and Defence
Websitewww.aadexpo.co.za

The AAD began in 1975 when the South African based aviation magazine World Airnews determined that a professional aerospace exhibition was appropriate, as distinguished from the traveling "barnstorming" air shows that were then prominent.[2]

The first event was held October 1975 as "Aviation Africa", at Lanseria Airport near Johannesburg, South Africa under the sponsorship of the Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa.[3] The same year, Lt. General Bob Rogers of the South African Air Force instituted an open day at AFB Waterkloof, in Centurion, which eventually turned into the Defence Exhibition of South Africa (DEXSA).[3]

In 2000, Aviation Africa and DEXSA combined to become AAD.[4] In 2006, the exhibition moved to AFB Ysterplaat in Cape Town. It returned to AFB Waterkloof in 2012.[4]

The next AAD is scheduled for 18-22 September 2024.[5]

References
  1. "AAD2016 Post Show Report" (pdf). Africa Aerospace and Defence. 2016. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  2. "Africa Aerospace and Defence". Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa. Archived from the original on 16 February 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  3. Helfrich, Kim (13 September 2016). "The origins of AAD". defenceWeb. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  4. "History - AAD 2018". African Aerospace and Defence. African Aerospace and Defence. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  5. "AAD". African Aerospace and Defence. African Aerospace and Defence. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
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