New product introductions, international customer demand and strategic stakeholder engagement highlight HENSOLDT’s presence at AAD 2026
Pretoria, 20 September 2026 – HENSOLDT South Africa used Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2026 as a platform to showcase its local capabilities, introduce new technologies, engage with strategic stakeholders and strengthen relationships with customers and partners from South Africa and international markets.
Held from 16 to 20 September at AFB Waterkloof, AAD brought together defence and aerospace companies, government representatives, customers, partners and delegations from across the world. This year’s event was particularly significant as AAD celebrates its silver jubilee, marking 25 years of bringing the aerospace and defence industry together. HENSOLDT South Africa congratulates AAD on this milestone and looks forward to supporting its continued relevance and future.
The company’s presence under the theme “Local innovation. Global capability.” reflected the breadth of HENSOLDT’s contribution to the defence and aerospace sector, combining South African engineering and industrial capability with the expertise and portfolio of the global HENSOLDT Group.
Two new products were prominently featured during the show: the Automated Spectrum Management System (ASMS) and the KENIS sensor.
ASMS is an integrated capability designed to help defence forces and spectrum authorities plan, coordinate, assign and monitor the use of the electromagnetic spectrum more efficiently. Its introduction at AAD demonstrated HENSOLDT’s continued development of solutions for increasingly complex spectrum environments.
The KENIS 1280 AK is a 1280 × 1024 ultra-low-latency MWIR thermal imaging sensor for applications including counter-UAS and long-range surveillance. Developed in South Africa, KENIS provided a strong example of the local-to-global journey at the heart of HENSOLDT’s AAD presence – locally engineered systems are competing – and winning – in demanding international markets. During the show, HENSOLDT highlighted an order for 200 KENIS systems from HEVI Optronics in Estonia, building on previous orders.
Alongside the new introductions, HENSOLDT showcased technologies across its broader portfolio, including the ARGOS family of airborne optronics, TAERVUS electronic warfare solutions, Quadome 3D AESA radar, IFF systems and the DL-6000 tactical datalink.
The company hosted delegations from several of its focus markets. These engagements provided opportunities to demonstrate HENSOLDT’s capabilities, understand customer requirements and explore potential areas for future cooperation.
AAD also provided an important opportunity for HENSOLDT South Africa to engage directly with senior government and industry stakeholders. Among those visiting HENSOLDT were Mr John Steenhuisen, Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Bantu Holomisa, Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, as well as the Chief of the South African Army and the Chief of the South African Navy. Deputy Minister Steenhuisen’s visit provided an opportunity to discuss the role of the aerospace and defence industry in South Africa’s industrial development and international competitiveness. His strong engagement and clear interest in the sector created an opportunity for HENSOLDT to establish and strengthen a relationship with government around the opportunities and challenges facing the industry.
“AAD is an important platform for HENSOLDT South Africa to demonstrate what we can contribute – locally, within the HENSOLDT Group and to the broader defence industry,” said Gilbert do Nascimento, HENSOLDT South Africa Head of Country. “The response we have received from customers, partners, government representatives and international delegations reinforces the value of bringing our local expertise together with HENSOLDT’s global capabilities. Our focus is on building strong, long-term relationships and creating opportunities that support our customers, our people and the continued development of South Africa’s defence industry.”
HENSOLDT South Africa also supported the Young Development Programme (YDP), reinforcing its commitment to developing the next generation of engineering and technical talent. Around 3,000 learners participated in the programme during the trade days, gaining exposure to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and careers in the aerospace and defence sector.
HENSOLDT South Africa’s participation at AAD 2026 highlighted the company’s role as both a South African technology and industrial partner and an integral part of HENSOLDT’s global network – connecting local expertise, international capabilities and long-term relationships across the defence and aerospace sector.
About HENSOLDT South Africa
HENSOLDT South Africa is a pioneer of technology and innovation in defence and security electronics. The company offers a comprehensive range of products, systems and services across defence and civil markets, from electronic warfare and optronics, spectrum monitoring and security solutions, to radar, IFF and datalinks. With more than 700 South African employees across five sites in South Africa, it is the HENSOLDT Group’s largest industrial base outside of Europe and one of the largest defence and security electronics companies in South Africa.