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27 Sept 24. Subtle trends at AAD 2024. The African Aerospace & Defence (AAD) exhibition took place between 18 and 22 September 2024 at Air Force Base Waterkloof outside Pretoria. The expo was well organised and success all round for all who participated.
AAD 2024 indicates a few subtle changes that can be indicative of trends into the future. The most impressive change is the increased visibility and involvement of government decision makers. In AADs of the past it was expected that the Minister of Defence & Military Veterans (MoDMV) would make a fleeting visit to the opening ceremony. AAD 2022 saw the involvement increase slightly with a short visit by the then Minister of Public Enterprises to inspect Denel’s stand, and a visit by the Minister of Police. 2024 has seen a change in involvement by government. The MoDMV and both deputies were significantly visible.
The Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Military Veterans visited AAD 2024. Various other ministries also attended. The biggest change for the aerospace and defence sector is that the President of South Africa visited AAD and interacted with exhibitors. This indicates positive potential into the future. The departing tongue-in-cheek comment made by the president that the Minister of Finance should visit maybe indicates a changing stance on funding for re-equipping South Africa’s defence capabilities. Hopefully with a large component of local products.
It was noticeable on the local defence industry front that there is an increased level of co-operation between companies. There was a rise in displays that highlighted multiple products integrated into product systems. This shows that the South African defence industry (SADI) system integrator pool is increasing. This has significant benefit for the country. There is now a pool of suppliers that can bring complex systems to market. The integration companies could be seen promoting product capabilities of partners. The downside of this is that these partners did not have an independent presence at the show.
It does seem as though there was a slight reduction in the number of exhibitors. AAD still needs to release the final participation figures. The perception of reduced exhibitor numbers has been constant over the last four to five AAD expos. The AADs in the early 2010s filled six full hangers with exhibitors. We have reduced to exhibitors that could fill a maximum four hangers. The size of AAD is maintained with exhibitors distributed over more hangers and the flightline apron, but the amount still seems smaller.
Local new developments were limited. The new developments that were launched did give good food for thought, and there are some vibrant sectors in the South African defence industry (SADI). The drone/unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) sector is robust. This is seen in companies presenting solutions. The Milkor 380 UAV was a stand out, but not to be outdone, Denel presented a new rotary wing medium lift UAV solution with significant potential. Smaller companies like Avior Labs and newcomer ShadowfaxUAS released new offerings at AAD.
The international presence shift was very noticeable, with a sizable increase in BRICS and other Global South solution participants. This trend has been increasing over several AAD events. The significant factor to be noted is that the products on display can no longer be seen as second-rate products. The capabilities on display by this group of participants shows that there is a growing defence related design and development capability internationally.
One aspect experienced with the change in global defence exhibitors is that the foreign stands were not approachable by non-delegation elements. People manning the stands were not interested in engaging walk-on questions. Maybe the language barrier is a major issue. This could be easily addressed for future exhibitions. However, this may be more that there is a laser focus on unlocking business, and this is achieved through the formal delegation interactions only. There seems to be limited opportunity for smaller SADI members to engage in integrated projects with these international entities.
The lack of a US military presence was expected based on political issues but the lack of US company exhibitors was noticeable. The reduction in participation by the US was matched by EU and UK companies. Many things can be read into this trend, but the major element is that companies from these countries do not see the possibility of unlocking business on the African continent. AAD is not just for South Africa, but it is one of few opportunities for sub-Saharan countries to engage with defence equipment suppliers on the continent.
Congratulations to defenceWeb for keeping everyone informed with the daily magazines. This is a positive trend that should be kept into the future.
Lastly, there is a noticeable change in energy in the South African defence industry. Let’s hope it translates to local business into the future.
Well done Team AAD Expo.
Written by James Kerr, Orion Consulting CC, which provides Market Entry Strategy and Bid & Proposal services to the Aerospace & Defence related industry and assists international SME mission system product suppliers to gain traction in South Africa.
(Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
26 Sep 24. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has added Raymond Knops, Chairman of the Dutch Industry Foundation for Defence and Security (NIDV), and Thomas McSorley, General Counsel for NATO DIANA (Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic), to a growing list of speakers and panelists on the agenda for the first-ever Blue Magic Netherlands (BMN) event being held on November 19, 2024. Other companies participating in GA-ASI’s BMN event include Brainport Development, Brabant Development Agency (BOM), SPACENED, and Lockheed Martin Ventures.
“We’re excited to launch this event in the Netherlands, which will bring together the best of Dutch industry and innovation,” said Brad Lunn, Managing Director of Strategic Finance at GA-ASI. “We are already engaged with companies who have contacted us to pitch their capabilities for possible inclusion in Blue Magic and open up funding opportunities.”
Dutch businesses that would like to pitch their technology and capabilities at BMN 2024 are encouraged to register on the event website by no later than Oct. 28, 2024.
Blue Magic Netherlands will be held in Eindhoven, a city known as a global technology hub. BMN will bring together Dutch startups, universities, government officials, aerospace leaders, and representatives from other high-tech industries, who will see technology advancements within the Dutch technology ecosystem and connect qualified partners with funding opportunities to support next-generation dual-use solutions.
GA-ASI has organized several successful Blue Magic events in the past and is bringing that same concept to the Netherlands. Areas of focus for BMN 2024 will be artificial intelligence/machine learning, autonomy, advanced materials, sensors, advanced manufacturing, and space. GA-ASI delivered its MQ-9A Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) to the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) in 2021 and recently announced an increase in the total order of MQ-9As in its service to eight.
26 Sept 24. Team Defence Information are supporting MOD RDT&E (Research Development Test and Evaluation) on its engagement journey with Industry.
Who are RDT&E?
Fundamentally MOD tests and evaluates (T&E) its military systems to ensure they are safe to operate and are fit for purpose. This work requires the use of specialist facilities and test sites in the UK and overseas. MOD is investing in a programme of transformation across the Defence enterprise to ensure the way Defence conducts T&E is fit for the future, RDT&E are tasked with this exploring this future approach.
Requirements for change
How the MOD approaches T&E needs to change to keep pace with increasingly complex, automated, and adaptive systems. The pace at which technology is being developed and adapted to meet operational needs, demands a more agile and responsive approach to T&E.
Launch of FATE
Future Advantage Through Evaluation (FATE) is MOD’s response to the challenges of Test & Evaluation of increasingly complex military systems. This new approach requires a broad coalition of change where MOD, industry and regulators will need to work together to build a Test & Evaluation enterprise that is fit for the future.
How to get involved
The are multiple ways to be involved in this:
- Sign-up to upcoming workshops focused on a delivery blueprint for FATE and exploring MOD’s requirements for future testing services
- Drop in ‘Teams’ sessions will take place on Thursday 24 and 31 Oct 10:00-10:45 and Wednesday 20 and 27 Nov 14:00-14:45 to discuss this with the FATE Team, please email here to book a place.
- Apply for T&E innovation funding through the DASA call
Or get in touch with Jeremy LeLean to find out more.
Further detailed information
You can find out more about the programme can be found on its gov.uk website.
25 Sept. 24. After the tremendous success of IMDEC 2023, which brought together over 800 international and regional maritime leaders, government officials, industry experts, and delegates to Ghana, the Ghana Navy is proud to announce the 4th International Maritime Defence & Exhibition (IMDEC) 2025, Africa’s premier maritime defence conference. The event will take place from 8 – 9 July 2025 at the Armed Forces HQ in Accra, Ghana.
IMDEC 2025 is a biennial gathering featuring a two-day conference and exhibition. It will bring together regional Naval Forces and key stakeholders to discuss the increasingly volatile maritime threats facing Africa’s territorial waters and blue economy. This platform offers a unique opportunity to explore international and regional collaborations aimed at enhancing maritime operations across the continent.
The forum also serves as a showcase for solutions from around the world, helping maritime and naval industries address their challenges and combat illicit activities at sea through innovative technologies.
Since shortlisting partners and suppliers is a priority for countries attending IMDEC, we have dedicated a large exhibition space for companies like yours to display and demonstrate your offerings.
For more information on speaking and exhibition opportunities, please reply to this email or call +971 4 568 7800. To learn more about the event, visit our website.
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DSEI 2025 – POWERING PROGRESS, DEFINING YOUR FUTURE
DSEI connects governments, national armed forces, industry thought leaders and the entire defence & security supply chain on a global scale. With a range of valuable opportunities for networking, a platform for business, access to relevant content & live-action demonstrations, the DSEI community can strengthen relationships, share knowledge and engage in the latest capabilities across the exhibition’s Aerospace, Land, Naval, Security & Joint Zones.
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