Article Posted on : - Sep 21, 2010

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA (BNS): Africa's largest aerospace, defence, and security exhibition - Africa Aerospace & Defence, AAD 2010 kicked off Tuesday at the Ysterplaat Air Force base here in Cape Town.

The five-day exhibition will host approximately 350 exhibitions from 35 countries. Foreign delegations from Africa, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific are also expected to visit the show.

"Countries like Turkey, China, and the United States of America have come big this time capturing all large national pavilions at AAD 2010. This underlines their confidence in South Africa and in the potential for business here," said Geoff van Hees, the exhibition director.

It is the first time these three countries are exhibiting at AAD 2010 as national pavilions.

From India, BrahMos Aerospace is also taking part in the grand event and will be showcasing the BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missile. Hindustan Aeronautics and Goa Shipyard are also participating in the show.

The first three days of the event will be dedicated trade days for industry professionals and media, while Friday and Saturday would be open to the general public, the organisers said.

In 2008, the show attracted some 13000 trade visitors.

AAD 2010 is expected to attract even greater number of visitors, including diplomats, entrepreneurs and representatives of local and national governments who seek potential trade opportunities and future business collaboration.