Displaying South Africa's military might at the international defense fair by Armscor
South Africa Showcases Defence Capabilities at IDEF 2025
The Armaments Corporation of South Africa (Armscor) participated in the 17th International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) held in Istanbul, Turkey from 22 to 27 July 2025. This collaborative effort, primary objective being to promote South Africa's world-class defence innovations and strengthen the visibility of the local defence sector in international markets.
Armscor's participation, made possible through the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition's (DTIC) Export Marketing and Investment Assistance (EMIA) scheme, contributed significantly to South Africa’s trade outcomes, export opportunities, and international partnerships in the defence sector.
During the event, Armscor and its SADI partners engaged with global decision-makers, buyers, and industry leaders, showcasing cutting-edge defence technologies and solutions. The fair provided a platform for these companies to demonstrate specialised, advanced defence technologies to a global audience and engage with emerging markets in Eurasia, the Middle East, and North Africa.
The strategic engagements aimed to unlock new opportunities for Armscor and its SADI partners in the international defence market. As a result, South Africa generated a "bag full of quality trade leads," with firms reporting substantial business and technical engagement opportunities at the event, indicating a positive impact on export potential.
The participation also aligns with efforts to increase South Africa’s presence in international defence markets and diversify export destinations beyond traditional partners. The event opened new market prospects for South African defence technology and industrial products, especially targeting high-growth regions such as Turkey, Eurasia, the Middle East, and North Africa.
Regarding international partnerships, Armscor’s engagement at IDEF 2025 facilitated strategic collaborations with key players in Turkey and other regions. The fair showcased cooperation between South African companies like Armscor and foreign defence firms, fostering new alliances and potential joint ventures.
The Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Honourable Mr Bantu Holomisa, attended the exhibition, reinforcing government's commitment to a strong and globally integrated South African defence sector. Armscor extends its sincere gratitude to the DTIC for its support in this important engagement.
Armscor continues to work towards a more inclusive defence ecosystem, focusing on key international partnerships, identifying areas of collaboration, and strengthening South Africa's position in the global defence market. The corporation is optimistic about the potential for tangible trade outcomes and expanded export opportunities following the engagements at IDEF 2025.
The Defence Sector Code is a mechanism used by Armscor to foster a more inclusive, competitive, and sustainable defence ecosystem. Armscor is optimistic about the long-term strengthening of South Africa's position as a trusted supplier of cost-effective and high-quality defence solutions, following the engagements at IDEF 2025.
South Africa's participation in IDEF 2025, led by Armscor, showcased not only their world-class defence innovations but also their advanced technology in the defence sector. This event provided an opportunity for Armscor and its SADI partners to engage with global decision-makers, buyers, and industry leaders, aiming to unlock new opportunities and foster strategic collaborations that align with South Africa's efforts to increase its presence in international defence markets and diversify export destinations.
