Paramount highlights Mwari ISR aircraft and Turkish technology integration at AAD 2026
Paramount Aerospace Industries showcased its Mwari surveillance and strike aircraft at the AAD 2026 expo, highlighting new integrations with Turkish defense technology. The aircraft features an open architecture designed to support modular sensor and weapon systems for border and maritime security.
Why it matters
The collaboration underscores the growing trend of international defense partnerships and the export of specialized multi-role military aircraft.
Designed to move between surveillance and precision-strike missions, South Africa’s Mwari aircraft combines a modular mission system, an open architecture and sensors from international partners to support a range of operational requirements. At the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) Expo 2026, Paramount Aerospace Industries highlighted how Turkish-developed technologies are expanding the platform’s capabilities.
Speaking to Defensehere on the sidelines of the exhibition, held from September 16 to 20, Lee Connolly, CEO of Paramount Aerospace Industries, said the Mwari is manufactured at the company’s facility at Wonderboom Airport, north of Pretoria. Production covers the process from raw materials through final assembly, testing and delivery.
Connolly said most of the aircraft’s equipment is produced in South Africa, although the program also relies on external suppliers for components such as the engine and avionics.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in