Africa Aerospace and Defence 2022 opens in South Africa

Pretoria, South Africa | Xinhua | The Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2022 opened Wednesday at Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria, South Africa.

The AAD, an aerospace and defense expo, will run until Sunday, with the first three days being trade days and the last two being air show days.

Briefing the media in Pretoria Wednesday about the AAD 2022, Minister of Defense Thandi Modise said the event would give opportunities for companies from across the globe to work together. The U.S., Italy, Turkey, Belgium, China, the UK, India, and Pakistan will take part in the event.

“AAD presents a golden opportunity to identify areas of synergy and possible cooperation. It is more than a show. It is more than an exhibition. It is an investment. It brings together people from across the globe,” she said.

According to the organizers of the AAD 2022, there will be an air show on Sept. 24 and 25 at Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria, and aerobatics also feature in this year’s air show lineup.

During the event, the South African National Defence Force will put on a “mini war” display, while the South African Police Service will also do a hijacking/hostage rescue display — both typically involve aircraft, vehicles, and simulated gunfire. Other demos include a Rocket HEMS emergency rescue demo, a mass parachute jump from a SAAF C-130 Hercules, and a South African Special Forces/Parabat display.

In addition to the aerial action, the show features a mobility track demonstration area for vehicles and a Youth Development Program that will be staged in a dedicated pavilion with a fun fly park.

During the event, the AAD 2022 will have an unmanned combat aerial vehicle conference, cyber security conference, air and space power, general aviation conference, and medical conference, among others.