Africa: SA Military Denies It's to Blame for Us Pulling Out of Africa's Biggest Air Show At Waterkloof

18 September 2024
Daily Maverick (Johannesburg)
By Victoria O'regan

Africa's largest air show and aerospace and defence exhibition kicked off at Air Force Base Waterkloof on Wednesday without a key regular participant: the US.

The South African military has hit back at accusations that it is to blame for the US's withdrawal from a massive defence and weapons expo that is under way in Pretoria.

Rather, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has suggested the US is to blame for its non-appearance at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2024 exhibition, saying no request for overflight and landing clearances for military purposes had been received from the US. However, the DA has previously said the US withdrew from the arms expo after the Department of Defence (DoD) refused to confirm the application of the 1999 Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) during the visit.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, who was initially announced to be the opening speaker, was due to visit the AAD on Wednesday afternoon.

The AAD 2024 runs from 18 to 22 September, with three trade days ahead of the weekend open days and the airshow. The event is held biennially, and as many as 60,000 people are expected to attend this year.

On Wednesday morning, Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga formally opened the AAD. Other dignitaries in attendance included Deputy Defence Minister Bantu Holomisa; Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink; chief...

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