The 2nd Africa Air Force Forum is set to take place in Dakar, Senegal, from October 25th to 26th, 2023. This significant event will gather Air Force Chiefs of Staff, aerospace industry leaders, and government officials to address evolving security challenges in the modern world. The forum’s theme, “Adapting Air Force Capabilities and Drone Deployment to Combat Modern Conflicts,” highlights the growing importance of air power and drone technology in contemporary warfare.
Brigadier General Papa Souleymane Sarr, Chief of Staff of the Senegalese Air Force, emphasized the forum’s role in fostering collaboration and innovation in response to ever-changing threats. The goal is to create a proactive and agile defense strategy to ensure stability and security across the African continent.
Building on the success of its inaugural edition, the 2nd Africa Air Force Forum aims to strengthen bilateral partnerships and promote regional stability. Key topics to be addressed at the forum include air operations for counterterrorism, intelligence capabilities, personnel training, and more.
Senegal, which is actively enhancing its air force capabilities, will use the event to showcase its commitment to regional security and promote collaboration within Africa’s aerospace community.
The two-day conference will feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, technical presentations, and an exhibition showcasing the latest aerospace and defence technologies. Attendees can look forward to live product demonstrations in areas such as intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.
The forum’s key topics include air operations for counterterrorism and counterinsurgency, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, maintenance, repair, and overhaul for regional Air Forces, and training and retention of personnel.
With over 350 participants from regional and international Air Forces, the Africa Air Force Forum serves as an ideal platform for networking and knowledge sharing in the aerospace industry. The event will feature more than 25 speakers, over 35 sponsors and exhibitors, and over 20 presentations, as well as 23 media partners. Countries from across the African continent and partners from around the world will participate.
Notable sponsors for the event include A.D. Con Ltd, Foreign Asset Trade Company, Ortho International, Airbus, ESMA Aviation Academy, Diamond Aircraft, Jet Aviation, and Go Beyond.
The forum offers a unique opportunity for Air Force and aviation leadership to discuss strategic plans, identify evolving operational requirements, develop plans to enhance the skills of future Air Force personnel, strengthen Africa’s defense sector value chain, and demonstrate a commitment to the growth of regional aerospace capabilities.
Last year’s edition highlighted aviation in Low-intensity conflicts and was hosted by the Senegal Air Force at the King Fahd Palace Dakar in Senegal from 26 to 27 October 2022.
The aim of the forum is to identify key requirements of Africa’s Air Forces and provide key solutions to transnational threats.
With over 300 regional and international attendees from Air Forces, the African Airforce Forum is an ideal networking and knowledge-sharing platform for the aerospace industry in the region.