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2014-08-01

‏AFRICA GEARS UP FOR AEROSPACE, DEFENSE SHOWCASE

The countdown is on to the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD2014), the premier exhibition of air, sea and land technologies on the African continent.

AAD2014 will once again bring together industries from all over the world to showcase the latest technological innovations. This year’s show will have many more exhibitors than in the past plus two new first time country exhibitors – Argentina and Uganda.

With 30 confirmed participating countries and 14 national pavilions, AAD2014 will host an excellent mix of first-timers and repeat exhibitors, some with increased exhibition space.

“This event will provide excellent marketing opportunities for exhibitors wishing to promote their products and services amongst African countries,” says Sandile Nqayi, marketing & PR manager at AAD.

It is jointly hosted and presented by Aerospace Maritime and Defence Industries Association of South Africa (AMD), the Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa (CAASA) and the Aerospace and the Armament Corporation of South Africa (Armscor).

Substantial support is also received from National Government and the cooperation of the Department of Defence as well as the Department of Trade and Industry. The exhibition takes place on a biennial basis in September.

The first three days of the exhibition are traditionally trade days, followed by two air show days that are open to the public. Hosted in the city of Tshwane, the eighth installment of the event September 17-21 and will once again bring together worldwide industry players to showcase the latest technologies.

Industry esteem

Ninety nine per cent of the indoor space and 89 per cent of the outdoor space have been sold, which gives an indication of the esteem in which the exhibition is held in the industry.

Experts say there is no better time to establish your presence in Africa than to exhibit with AAD2014. The quality of attendees is unparalleled and the networking opportunities endless.

AAD2012 hosted a good mix of first-timers and repeat exhibitors as well as attendees. Whether it is defense and security, commercial aviation, maritime and more, AAD2014 aims to put exhibitors at the center of the world’s fastest growing market.

AAD2014 organisers have met formally to introduce official contractors to the participating exhibitors to present the processes that will be in place before, during and after the exhibition.

AAD has, for the first time, launched a MobiEvents app that will keep AAD attendees updated with the full exhibition experience. This is a one-stop mobile event guide for AAD2014 exhibition and airshow, featuring a show programme, venue map, ticket sales, admission rules of the airshow as well as live news updates. The MobiEvents app will be available for free download from the Apple App Store and Android marketplace.

Youth programme

A Youth Development Programme (YDP) will be staged in a dedicated hangar, together with the Department of Defence, where the youth will enjoy interactive programmes, such as plasticvirtual aviation, simulator, target shooting, first-aid and the intricacies of crime scene investigation.

YDP encourages South African companies in the aerospace, maritime and defence industry to sponsor career development for the youth who will eventually benefit the industry. YDP is planning a number of activaties pre-AAD2014 such as roadshows, and science and maths competition.

The public will be treated to a mass parachute drop, a mini-war re-enactment which will see Special Forces Pathfinders parachuted in to the secure area followed by the insertion of troops, vehicles and the air-dropping of supplies.

There will be aircraft participating in aerobatic displays and the popular truck and armoured vehicles in the displays at the mobility demonstration track. The local favourites like the Gripen, Hawk and Silver Falcons will be expected to thrill the crowds during the airshow days.

AAD generates new business with African and international companies. It’s where participants create partnerships, showcase new innovations and products, network, speak to decision makers, establish sales leads and do deals onsite.

AAD2012 saw 40 000 trade visitors attending the Africa Aerospace and Defence testament to the business value seen in attending the show.

In 2012, AAD was the hub for over 300 accredited media, gaining global exposure for exhibitors beyond the five days of the event. Media coverage was secured across a wide media platform (print, broadcast and online) leading up to the exhibition and a total of 413 pieces of coverage was secured.

Vehicle mobility

AAD will again bring some of the world’s most exciting military and civilian vehicles together to showcase vehicles across the unrivalled tracks over the five days. The track is designed to introduce the military vehicles to trade visitors. Exhibitors and vehicle manufacturers are invited to add their vehicles to the mobility track to display the true capabilities of their products.

The mobility track includes eight challenging obstacles that will put vehicles through their paces. AAD2012 demonstrated tanks, amphibious vehicles and personnel carriers to show their full mettle on the track, which included water troughs, ditches, steps, steep inclines, out-of-phase cobbles and tight turning circles.

The exhibition also includes a mobility demonstration track, on which land-based vehicles will be tested as they tackle a challenging obstacle course over difficult terrains and water features.

Aircraft

Over 110 aircraft exhibited at AAD2012. During the five-day event, the show saw manufacturers showcasing their latest civil and military aircraft both on static display and in the air from general aviation, business jets and jet airliners to fighter planes, helicopters, museum aircrafts and aerobatic display teams.

Aircraft Park is located within the main static display area. Flexible exhibiting options exist for participation within this area. The static display gives visitors the opportunity to view the aircraft close up. This is a fundamental part of the exhibition.

The display showcases the most advanced aircraft in both commercial and military design. The flying display takes place during the afternoon. The well-structured display provides a valuable presentation in which exhibitors can demonstrate the capabilities of their products, enhanced by commentary broadcast across the exhibition site.

To enable aircraft exhibitors to provide potential customers with the opportunity to appreciate the qualities of their product in the air, it is possible for them to arrange flying displays with the organizers.

Flying Displays at AAD2012 saw impressive performance of motorised paraglider formation, Cavalcade , mass parachute drop, Zimbabwe Air Force K-8, SAPS , Gripen, Rooivalk, Cheetah , MX-2 eqstra harvard formation, SAA / Silver Falcons, Gabriel Pitts formation, HAWK , PAC-750, P-51 Mustang , BK 117 and L29. AAD2014 Flying Program will only be available at the gate on the day of the air show (September 20-21)

All exhibitors have the opportunity to take advantage of the comprehensive international military delegations program which will run at AAD2014. Exhibitors may be included in the program of pre-arranged visits and meetings, which at AAD2012 had 61 official delegations from 26 Countries.

Prominent exhibitors at this year event are Northrop Grumman, Thales, Dassault Aviation, Cassidian/GEW Technologies, Saab, SAFRAN, Airbus Helicopter,Russian Technologies State Corporation, BrahMos Aerospace, Rheinmetall, Denel Munition, DCNS, Russian Helicopters, Rheinmetall, BAE Systems Land Systems SA, Streit Group, Navantia and Colt .

Credit: www.aadexpo.co.za

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