Sponsored by Clarion Events
https://www.dsei.co.uk
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21 Jan 26. London defence event connects senior MoD officials and industry as DSEI Gateway builds momentum for 2026. Businesses from across the defence and aerospace sectors gathered in central London for an exclusive DSEI Gateway event last week, bringing together senior MoD officials, industry leaders and SMEs. Around 80 percent of the attendees were representing small and medium sized enterprises across the defence enterprise. Companies with long established defence credentials were joined by newer entrants, reflecting the sector’s evolving landscape. The event featured a strategic look ahead at what could be in store for the defence sector in 2026. Attendees gained insight from senior MoD representatives and Clarion Defence’s Editor in Chief, with opportunities to ask questions and engage directly with decision makers. The session was moderated by Viktorija Starych Samuolienė, Co-founder for Strategy at the Council on Geostrategy. Speakers included James Gavin, Deputy Director at UKDI, Anita Friend, Deputy Director at UKDI and Head of DASA, and Olivia Savage, Editor in Chief at Clarion Defence and Security. DSEI Gateway is a new membership offering designed to help start-ups and SMEs win contracts, grow networks, and stay ahead in a complex market. It provides face to face access to key stakeholders across government, primes, industry and investment organisations. Members also benefit from tailored support, exclusive networking tools, tender alerts and year-round events to create meaningful business connections. Powered by the DSEI brand, the leading global defence exhibition connecting government and industry in the UK, Japan and Germany, DSEI Gateway combines the scale, expertise and reach of a globally recognised trade show with year-round opportunities for SMEs and start-ups to succeed in the defence sector.
Commenting on the event Olivia Savage, Editor in Chief at Clarion Defence and Security said: “It was an honour to sit down with the new Deputy Heads of UK Defence Innovation to discuss the global and domestic landscape for the year ahead. We focused on the key tech priorities for the department, and, most importantly, how we can better bridge the gap between high-level strategy and the SME community. Stay tuned – we are planning more sessions designed to give SMEs the insight and clarity they need to navigate the defence sector in 2026.”
20 Jan 26. SDSC-UK 2026
3 & 4 February 2026
The NEC, Birmingham
https://web-eur.cvent.com/event/10011bf5-ecfb-46ec-b282-448423ddd97b/regProcessStep1:7f44fab9-20b1-46dd-b0a5-d2578ba204ae?RefId=Registration%20Link&rp=f50c9a1e-4bb0-4231-b9bb-fe799141d739
Please note that Industry Day registrations for TUESDAY 3 February are now closed. However, there is still plenty to be part of across the two days.
You can still attend:
The Networking Drinks Reception on the evening of TUESDAY 3 February
The SDSC-UK Exhibition on WEDNESDAY 4 February
The Unclassified Conference, running alongside the Expo
Important notice
Registration for the Networking Drinks Reception closes TODAY – Monday 20 January. If you’re planning to attend, please make sure you book before the end of today to avoid missing out.
19 Jan 26. Motshekga officially launches AAD 2026 during silver anniversary celebration. The Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) exhibition is one of the longest running such events on the continent, and is celebrating 25 years of existence. Defence Minister Angie Motshekga was the main functionary at an anniversary event and official launch of the 2026 edition at Air Force Base Waterkloof.
Delivering her keynote address on Thursday 15 January, Motshekga said AAD is a global and continental platform that allows exhibitors to engage on the evolving nature of the industry. The exhibition, Motshekga said, promotes exports that sustain the defence industry, firms up partnerships, attracts investment, cultivates skills, and strengthens Africa’s industrial base.
As no nation can meet the challenges of security by themselves, AAD allows participants to share knowledge and strengthen partnerships. Motshekga emphasised the critical role of defence in ensuring stability and fostering development, as a safe and secure environment attracts investment, stimulates growth, and allows economies to thrive. “Peace efforts may not always make headlines but their impact is real as economies can thrive,” she said. Defence, for example, plays a developmental role by securing borders.
Mike Clark, President of the Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa (CAASA), said AAD is the largest aerospace and defence platform on the continent, and has stood the test of time, including enduring the Covid-19 pandemic. “Through resilience we pivoted back to healthy and thriving status.”
“This expo is a bridge between nations, people, and industry, bringing them together for shared progress.” He said government recognition as strategic national event underscores the importance of AAD, with the 2026 iteration set to be a groundbreaking edition.
Entrepreneur and AAD Youth Development Programme Chairperson Kholisile Khumalo highlighted the economic impact of AAD, which amounts to R500 m, according to a University of Pretoria study.
Part of the official launch on Thursday 15 January included an awards ceremony, with Contribution to AAD awards presented to members of the South African National Defence Force, CAASA, Aero Club of South Africa, Air Show South Africa, and AAD organisers. Winners of the AAD photographic competition were announced: Meghan McCabe received top spot for her winning photo, receiving a R6 000 prize, while Sebastian Horrell received R5 000 as the youth category winner. Francois Louw received R4 000 as the runner-up.
After Motshekga officially launched the 2026 edition of AAD, Exhibition Director Nakedi Phasha said it is now all systems go. “We are building a launchpad for Africa’s airspace and defence future. AAD 2026 is set to be bigger, better and bolder. AAD is not just an event but a platform to be reckoned with. As the longest serving such exhibition in Africa, it has stood the test of time.”
AAD a national event
AAD 2026, scheduled to take place from 16 to 20 September 2026 at Air Force Base Waterkloof, has been formally declared a national event by the South African government, signalling commitment to strengthening South Africa’s aerospace, defence and advanced manufacturing capacity.
“It also broadens the platform’s relevance by giving companies outside the traditional defence environment, including those in mining, information and communication technology, engineering and high-precision manufacturing, a space to showcase dual-use technologies that support both industrial and national capability,” Phasha said.
AAD organisers and its partners, Armscor, the Aerospace, Maritime and Defence Industries Association of South Africa (AMD) and CAASA, remain committed to ensure local manufacturers remain connected to international markets despite growing uncertainty.
“Through collaboration with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, South African firms also participate in key international exhibitions under the national pavilion programme, widening their visibility and improving export readiness,” Phasha told Engineering News.
She said that universities, research institutions and technology bodies use AAD to connect with industry, helping to support innovation across civilian aviation, space, robotics and advanced manufacturing. AAD’s impact has seen international partnerships formed at the exhibition resulting in joint ventures, co-production agreements and meaningful technology transfer into South Africa’s industrial base.
AAD has been promoted far and wide, including at other major global defence shows, including the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) in the UAE, the Naval Defence Exhibition (NAVDEX) in the UAE, the Defence and Security Equipment International Exhibition (DSEI) in the UK, and the International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) in Turkey. “These engagements help position the South African industry within global networks and secure interest from government and corporate delegations,” Phasha said.
CAASA is the lead partner for the 2026 edition of AAD. Organisers are expecting more than 300 global exhibitors, 30 000 trade visitors, and 80 000 public visitors during the weekend air show days. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/
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DSEI 2027 – 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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