Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD)

The Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) is Africa's only aerospace and defence expo that combines both a trade exhibition and an air show. Held biennially in the City of Tshwane – South Africa’s administrative capital, the AAD Expo is one of South Africa’s largest contributors to the country’s GDP in show years and is regarded as a national asset.

Damen is present at the AAD with a booth, and actively participating in the conference programme.

Conference Day 2 – Thursday 19 September
Agenda – Day 2 – AAD2024 Conference

11.10 -11.40 Case study: The opportunities for the South African industry that were created as a result of the execution of project BIRO
Jos Govaarts, Managing Director, Damen Shipyards Cape Town
Sefale Montsi, Director, Damen Shipyards Cape Town

13.10-13.50 Panel: Unlocking innovation – Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and joint ventures for defence technology development and commercialisation
Mark Grootboom, Head of Supply Chain, Damen Shipyards Cape Town

Conference Day 3 – Friday 20 September
Agenda – Day 3 – AAD2024 Conference

11.30-12.00 The business case for an auxiliary support vessel/drone carrier to support SA’s combat vessels

Maritime security is essential for South Africa’s “Blue Economy” to prosper. Three issues are particularly important to tackle: illegal fisheries in SA EEZ, piracy and smuggling (drugs and refugees). SAS Drakensberg (A301), the Auxiliary Oil Replenishment (AOR) ship of the South African Navy (SAN) commissioned in 1987 and designed for assisting and supporting the SAN's combat vessels at sea, is coming to the end of her life. South Africa has acquired several IPVs and would like also to acquire OPVs. The question then arises: does the SAN require a new AOR or is an alternative capability required? With the enormous developments in the use of drones, can we use them to improve South Africa’s maritime security capability? A drone carrier may then become an option or is a combination of a drone carrier and an AOR required? A multi-role support ship would be able to deliver that capability. This presentation will highlight its capabilities and also its flexibility.
Ed Veen, Senior Naval Consultant, Damen Naval