The Armaments Corporation of South Africa (Armscor) proudly participated in the 17th International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF), held in Istanbul, Turkey, from 22 to 27 July 2025. Armscor extends its sincere gratitude to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) for its instrumental support in enabling this important engagement on the global stage.
Armscor was one of 13 South African Defence Industry (SADI) companies that took part in the exhibition, made possible through the DTIC’s Export Marketing and Investment Assistance (EMIA) scheme. This collaborative effort aimed to promote South Africa’s world-class defence innovations and strengthen the visibility of the local defence sector in international markets.
IDEF 2025 offered an invaluable platform for Armscor and its SADI partners to showcase cutting-edge defence technologies and solutions, while also engaging with global decision-makers, buyers and industry leaders. These strategic engagements aimed to unlock new opportunities, identify areas of collaboration and establish key international partnerships.
As the acquisition agency for the Department of Defence, Armscor is mandated to support and promote the capabilities of South Africa’s Defence Industry. This includes enabling local enterprises, particularly small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) to access global markets and contribute meaningfully to economic development. Through mechanisms such as the Defence Sector Code, Armscor continues to foster a more inclusive, competitive and sustainable defence ecosystem.
The presence of Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Honourable Mr Bantu Holomisa, at the exhibition reinforced the government’s commitment to building a strong and globally integrated South African defence sector. His support signals the importance of coordinated efforts between government and industry in driving growth, exports and job creation.
Armscor is optimistic that the fruitful engagements held during IDEF 2025 will lead to tangible trade outcomes, expanded export opportunities and the long-term strengthening of South Africa’s position as a trusted supplier of cost-effective and high-quality defence solutions.
