The Africa Aerospace and Defence Expo (AAD) 2022

Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) is Africa’s only true aerospace and defence expo that combines both a trade exhibition and an air show, held biennially, with the expo scheduled on the 24^th and 25^th September this year at Air Force Base Waterkloof.

The air show comprises world class demonstrations from some of the biggest names in the aviation and defence industry who will demonstrate their latest and greatest.

The airshow will open with a flypast of powered paragliders and microlights as ground based emergency service vehicles parade in front of spectators. A SAAF Hawk will perform the first official opening display.

Organisers have released a tentative display line-up for the airshow. On the military side, highlights will include SAAF jets like the SAAB Gripen and BAE Hawk. A ‘mini war’ will be staged and a SAP (South African Police) hostage rescue demonstration.

On the commercial side, a unique formation of a Boeing 737 and an L-100 will be performed.

Besides African air forces being present, this year will see a strong American presence with aircraft types such as the Mc Donnell/Boeing C-17 Globemaster, a Lockheed C130J Hercules, a Boeing KC135 Stratotanker, a new Boeing KC-46 Pegasus, and the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, plus a MQ-9 Reaper on static display.

Every AAD continues to attract a growing wealth of international decision-makers from within the defence industry, government representatives, international armed forces and key military personnel.

The general aviation side will see numerous aerobatic teams partaking like the RV Raptors, Goodyear Pitts, Puma Flying Lions, with other aircraft like the Iveco Extras, Yak-52, L-39 and an L-29 from Hangar 51.

The SAAF Museum will provide flying displays from the Bosbok, Kudu, Harvard, Cessna 185, and the ever popular helicopters of Puma and Alouette II and III. The De Havilland Tiger Moth will also be included.

The Rocket HEMS emergency rescue and a mass parachute display of both civilian and military personnel from a SAAF C-130 Hercules are going ahead.

There will also be organised children’s activities and attractions including a Youth Development Programme (YDP) staged in a dedicated Pavilion with a fun fly park where the youth will have interactive activities, such as plastic model building, virtual aviation, simulator, target shooting, first-aid and crime scene investigation. The YDP was first introduced in 2002, and supports the strategic intent of AAD and its partners.

Africa Aerospace and Defence Air show and Defence Exhibition is open to the public. For more information go to www.aadexpo.co.za