South Africa used the Africa Aerospace and Defense 2026 exhibition in Tshwane to showcase its domestic defense and aerospace capabilities. The event featured locally developed technologies, including a mobile surveillance radar capable of surveying distances of up to 300 nautical miles. The exhibition also featured military aircraft, helicopters, armored vehicles, and simulated combat demonstrations. According to government officials in attendance, many of the technologies were developed in response to operational problems identified by military commanders. However, budget constraints remain a major obstacle. The showcase comes as South Africa seeks to demonstrate that African countries can develop sophisticated defense technologies domestically rather than relying exclusively on foreign suppliers.