# HENSOLDT South Africa showcases local innovation and global capability at AAD 2026

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2026/09/hensoldt-south-africa-showcases-local-innovation-and-global-capability-at-aad-2026/
- Published: 2026-09-20T17:56:52+01:00
- Author: Military Africa

_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.

![HENSOLDT South Africa showcases local innovation and global capability at AAD 
2026](https://www.military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/HENSOLDT-KENIS-applications-
1024x576.png)

Two new products were prominently featured during the show: the Automated Spectrum
Management System (ASMS) and the KENIS sensor.

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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.

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![HENSOLDT Hevi KENIS AAD](https://www.military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/
HENSOLDT-Hevi-KENIS-AAD-2026.png)

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.

![HENSOLDT Automated Spectrum Management System](https://www.military.africa/wp-
content/uploads/2026/09/HENSOLDT-Automated-Spectrum-Management-System-1024x725.png)

 Automated Spectrum Management System (ASMS)

**About HENSOLDT South Africa**

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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.

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