As promised, Niel Swart braved difficult conditions to share last month’s Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2016 exhibition with airscape.

Held at the SAAF’s AFB Waterkloof, between Pretoria and Johannesburg, this biennial event is the continent’s major aerospace and defence show. This year it brought together over 500 trade exhibitors, and representation from 105 different countries.

Incredibly diverse

AAD 2016 ran from Wednesday the 14th of September to Sunday the 18th, with the weekdays being trade days and the weekend being for public displays.

Local and international companies used the event to showcase an incredibly diverse range of products – from small satellite technologies to a new airborne system for stopping rhino poachers (a uniquely African need!).

Boeing and SAAB demonstrated their new jet trainer prototype; local giant Denel announced plans to upgrade their successful Rooivalk attack helicopter in partnership with Airbus; while Zambia revealed their new Hongdu L-15 supersonic light attack/jet trainer and assorted ordnance – all Made In China.

In fact, given the diversity, the only real surprise was the lack of coverage the event received outside of Africa. A quick scan of some leading global publications, and even Google, reveals a dearth of post-event reporting. Africa may not compare with Asia or the NATO alliance (yet), but glossing over the aerospace and defence interests of 54 countries on the world’s second-most populous continent seems a little like tunnel vision…

Airshow pics

Some 57,000 visitors attended the public days, although rain and low cloud meant some of the Sunday’s aerobatics had to be cancelled, and dust ahead of the change made photographing the Saturday displays difficult.

In all, we really appreciate the job Niel did for us – even rushing back to Waterkloof late on Monday to catch the departing USAF C-17A.

I’m very pleased to present this first gallery of his AAD2016 photos. Click each image for the full-sized view. And check out Niel’s second batch of AAD2016 images here.

The mighty SAAB Gripen (“Griffon”) delta-canard multi-role fighter of 2 Squadron SAAF. First flown in 1988, the Gripen was designed for the front-line of the Cold War, with high manoeuvrability plus improvised runway and Mach 2.0 capabilities. (© Niel Swart)

Even great paint can’t mask the unique planform of this Pakistani MFI-17 Super Mushshak # 95-6385. The MFI-17 is a high-winged basic trainer and utility aircraft, based on the SAAB Safari. (© Niel Swart)

Looking like a “mini-C130 meets Shorts Skyvan”, this is actually a CASA C212 ‘Aviocar’ (serial 8010) operated by 44 Squadron SAAF. South Africa operates four of these highly successful and versatile turboprop STOL transports.

A pair of 2 Squadron SAAB JAS39 Gripens, aircraft #17 and #24 are readied for their display as heavy dust rolls over AFB Waterkloof during AAD2016. The SAAF has operated 26 one and two-seat Gripens since April 2008. (© Niel Swart)

Douglas Skymaster ZS-BMH “Lebombo” makes a topside pass – giving us a great study in vintage props, and highlighting SAA’s gorgeous period livery. (© Niel Swart)

With a perfect tail number, the Republic of South Africa’s VIP transport ZS-RSA is a Next Gen 737-7ED Boeing Business Jet (c/n 32627 / 826), operated by 21 Squadron, SAAF.

No stranger to South Africa’s skies – or Australia’s for that matter – the RR Viper-powered Aermacchi MB326 flew as the locally-built MB326M Atlas Impala with the SAAF. Now replaced by the ubiquitous BAe Hawk, this is privately owned ZU-IMP, serial 479. (© Niel Swart)

Agusta-Westland (now Leonardo-Finmeccanica) A109 LUH – the ‘Light Utility Helicopter’ development of the A109E – #4004 (c/n 13654) has served with the SAAF since 2003. (© Niel Swart)

A lovely portrait of USAF Globemaster III, #00-0177, as it departs AFB Waterkloof the day after AAD2016, to resume global duties with the 105th Airlift Wing. (© Niel Swart)

Two of 16 Squadron SAAF’s locally developed Denel Rooivalk Mk.1 attack helicopters – # 676 wearing U.N. whites and #681 in standard SAAF camouflage. (© Niel Swart)

Anticipating the split winglet of Boeing’s 737 MAX, Kulula 737-8LD(WL) ZS-ZWD (msn 40855 / 4279) shows off the 737NG’s optional ‘scimitar-edged’ tip feathers – along with a full suite of deceleration systems. (© Niel Swart)

Owned by South Africa Airways Museum and operated by SkyClass Aviation, the elegant ZS-BMH, a 1947 DC-4-1009 Skymaster (cn 43157) deploys her ‘barn door’ flaps on short final into Waterkloof. (© Niel Swart)

Still one of the nimblest helicopters around, and technically a warbird, former Aerospatiale Gazelle c/n 1678 – now Eurocopter SA-341-F2 ‘ZU-LRE’– is put through it’s paces. (© Niel Swart)

The unusual Piaggio P166S Albatross twin pusher utility aircraft, operated by 27 Squadron SAAF on maritime patrol duties from 1969 to October 1990. This survivor, aircraft 881, is now flown by the SAAF Museum. (© Niel Swart)

Flying the flag… SAAF Hawk Mk 120, serial 272, shows of its national colours. The SAAF flies 24 Hawks – all but two having built by local defence giant Denel at its Johannesburg Airport facility. (© Niel Swart)

A crazed trail of flares follows SAAB Gripen serial #17, of 2 Squadron SAAF, as it displays it’s performance to the air show crowds at AAD2016. (© Niel Swart)

One of the all-time great aerobatic steeds – Lycoming AEIO-540 powered Zlin Z-50LS, ZS-WSZ, goes vertical for the AAD2016 show crowd. (© Niel Swart)