Organisers highlight success of AAD 2026

The organisers of the recently concluded Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) expo at Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria have praised the successful event, saying it once again confirmed its place as the continent’s premier aerospace and defence platform.

However, defence industry analysts have raised questions about the official attendance figures and what this means for the future of the event.

In a media statement, the organisers said AAD hosted 52 official delegations from 28 countries.

There were 10 national pavilions and 287 exhibitors from 33 countries.

The three trade days attracted 27 382 visitors, and the two-day airshow drew 55 843 spectators.

According to the official figures from AAD 2024, there were 86 delegations from 33 countries, with 259 exhibitors from 30 countries and 9 national pavilions.

The trade days drew 22 970 visitors, while the airshow recorded 37 007 members of the general public.

Defence industry analyst, James Kerr, who attended the three trade days, pointed to a decrease in the number of foreign delegations compared to 2024 and questioned the official numbers.

“We only had 52 delegations versus 86 in 2024.

From 28 countries instead of 33.

The exhibitors they said this year it was 287, it was on their notice, but their website only has 237 – that is 50 less.

Trade visitors are a perception thing – they said it has gone up by 5 000 people.

Two years ago, it took me two hours to get in on the first morning.

This time it took me 10 minutes to get in.