South African Minister of Defence Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will officially open the AAD 2012 1209122.

The exhibition will take place at Air Force Base Waterkloof in Centurion, just outside Pretoria between 19 and 21 September, with two airshow days on the 22nd and 23rd, which are open to the public.

The opening day will be abuzz with activities, ranging from the official opening with military bands playing and a fly past by some of the South African Air Force’s aircraft.

This year’s exhibition, the seventh edition of the biennial event, will be attended by ministers of defence from around the globe, with ministers from Botswana, Italy, Egypt, Malaysia, Namibia, the People’s Republic of China, Tanzania, Ukraine, Thailand, Zambia and Zimbabwe having confirmed their attendance.

AAD is made possible by a partnership between the Armaments Corporation of South Africa SOC Ltd (Armscor), South Africa’s Aerospace, Maritime and Defence Industry Association (AMD) and the Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa (CAASA), with full support from the Department of Defence and the active support of the Department of Trade & Industry, the Department of Transport and Department of Science & Technology.

Since its inception in 2000, the event has grown drastically and serves the interests of both civilian and military sectors. It has established itself as a major platform for South Africa’s defence, general aviation, space, homelands security, humanitarian relief, disaster management, freight and forwarding services as well as search and rescue technology industries and stakeholders. It is the largest exhibition of air, land and sea capabilities on the African continent.

Between 19 and 21 September, trade and static displays will attract visitors from over 31 countries as well as South African industry/trade delegates. The three trade days will be characterized by signing of trade agreements between South Africa and the visiting countries, as well as the signing of contracts with the local defence industry.

The trade days will be followed by the public days and spectacular airshow on 22 and 23 September 2012. It is anticipated that the public days will attract crowds in the region of more than 50,000 spectators per day.

The trade days will feature 11 national pavilions including United States, China, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Turkey, Russia, India, Switzerland, Romania and the United Kingdom and are expected to stimulate business for local and international companies involved in the growing defence, general aviation and security industries.