South Africa put its growing defence capabilities on display at an aerospace and defence exhibition in Tshwane, as helicopters roared overhead and fighter jets tore across the skies before crowds of spectators.

The event featured locally developed technologies, including mobile surveillance radar systems, while families and aviation enthusiasts looked on as armoured vehicles were displayed and simulated combat demonstrations were staged.

According to Kopano Peter Lebelo, Chief Director of Materiel Governance, the showcase was designed to challenge perceptions that South Africa, and the African continent more broadly, lacks the capacity to develop its own defence technologies.

Lebelo highlighted a multi-role surveillance radar system developed by his office in partnership with Waytech Defence, noting that the mobile system is capable of surveying distances of between 200 and 300 nautical miles.

He said budget constraints remain a significant limitation to the sector's growth, but noted that many of the technologies on display were developed in direct response to operational challenges identified by military leaders. "Chiefs tell us what difficulties they have, and we convert those difficulties into projects," Lebelo said.

South Africa is home to one of Africa's most developed defence industries. Companies including Denel, Paramount Group and Milkor are involved in producing a range of military equipment, from armoured vehicles and aircraft to missiles, ammunition and drones.

The exhibition underscores South Africa's continued push to position itself as a hub for indigenous defence innovation on the continent, at a time when many African nations remain heavily reliant on imported military technology.

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