Beyond the Horizon: The Air and Space Power Symposium 2026
Join us at the third Air and Space Power Symposium.
When: 15 September 2026
Where: Air Force Base Waterkloof, City of Tshwane
Hosted by: The Space Command Integrated Planning Team, led by the Deputy Chief of the South African Air Force, Major General Lancelot Mathebula, and tasked by the Chief of the South African National Defence Force
Theme: Inclusive and Sustainable Air and Space Power
Held as part of the AAD2026 programme, the symposium brings together senior military officials, industry experts, academics and representatives from national government for a full day of panel discussions.
Conversations will explore the role of technology in modern warfare and the capabilities that will shape future operations, including:
- Space operations
- Unmanned aerial vehicles
- Artificial intelligence
- Cyber warfare
- Digital technologies and the legal frameworks governing them
Speakers include:
- Ms Angie Motshekga, Minister of Defence
- Lieutenant General M.C. Moatshe, Chief of the South African Air Force
- Advocate L.S. Mkumatiela, Board Chairperson, South African Council for Space Affairs
- Mr H. Mudau, CEO, South African National Space Agency
The day extends beyond discussion. In collaboration with the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation and the South African National Space Agency, the symposium hosts a South African Space Pavilion - an exhibition space where the Department of Defence and the wider space industry showcase their capabilities, and where delegates can build working relationships across the sector.
