Botswana Defence Force Air Wing | |
---|---|
Founded | 1960 |
Country | Botswana |
Type | Air force |
Role | Aerial warfare |
Size | 500 personnel [1] |
Part of | Botswana Defence Force |
Headquarters | Gaborone |
Commanders | |
Commander-in-Chief | President Duma Boko |
Insignia | |
Roundel | |
Fin flash | |
Aircraft flown | |
Fighter | Canadair CF-5 |
Helicopter | Bell 412SP, AS 350 Ecureuil |
Reconnaissance | Elbit Hermes 450, IAI Silver Arrow 180 |
Trainer | Pilatus PC-7 Mk II |
Transport | C-130 Hercules, Beechcraft Super King Air, Britten-Norman Defender, CASA C-212 Aviocar, CASA CN-235, Cessna O-2 Skymaster, Bombardier Global Express |
The Botswana Defence Force Air Arm is the air force of the Botswana Defence Force. The Air Arm was formed in 1977 and squadrons are designated with a Z, meaning "squadron".
The Air Wing was formed in 1977 and is organisationally part of the Botswana Defence Force. [2]
All squadrons are designated with a Z, which stands for "squadron". [3] The main base is near Molepolole and was built by mostly foreign contractors between 1992 and 1996. [4] Other airports used are Sir Seretse Khama International Airport and Francistown International Airport. [4]
The backbone of the Air Wing consists of a squadron of former Canadian Canadair CF-116s which are locally designated as BF-5s. Thirteen ex-Canadian CF-116s (ten single-seater CF-5As and three trainer CF-5Bs) were ordered in 1996 to replace BAC Strikemasters, with another three single-seaters and two dual-seaters delivered in 2000. [Note 1] The aircraft were re-designated OJ-1 through 16. For transport, the Air Wing uses Britten-Norman Defenders, CASA C-212 Aviocars, CASA CN-235s and Lockheed C-130B Hercules. The latest addition to the transport fleet was a former U.S. Air Force C-130H Hercules to complement the two existing aircraft. [5]
A combination of Bell 412EP and 412SP helicopters are operated by Z21 and perform a variety of functions; search and rescue, medivac, anti-poaching and troop/VIP transport. In 1993, nine ex-US Army/AMARC Cessna O-2As were delivered for use against poaching.
In 2011, Pilatus Aircraft Ltd announced that the Botswana Defence Force had selected the PC-7 MkII turboprop trainer aircraft to replace their Pilatus PC-7 fleet which has been in service since 1990. The contract value is approximately 40 million Swiss francs to procure a fleet of five PC-7 MkII turboprop trainer aircraft, with ground-based training system including computer-based training, spares, support equipment, as well as pilot and technician conversion training elements. The contract was signed in Gaborone on 13 April 2011. [6]
Botswana is also believed to operate Elbit Systems Silver Arrow [7] and Elbit Hermes 450 UAVs. [8]
Maparangwane Air Base is the only full air base in Botswana. Sir Seretse Khama International Airport is a civilian airport that hosts the VIP jets and Francistown Airport is a joint civilian/military airfield with ownership by the BDF since 2011. [13]
In 2005 Botswana Defence Force (BDF) awarded the Spanish company Indra a €7.1 million contract for the development and implementation of a full air defence command and control system. The project included the development and implementation of an operational control centre, composed of a total of nine air traffic tracking and control posts to process and concentrate the information regarding the country's air space being provided by air surveillance radars, radio communication links with the airships, and air traffic management civil systems. [14] [15]
Aircraft | Origin | Type | Variant | In service | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Combat aircraft | ||||||
Canadair CF-5 | Canada | Fighter | CF-5A | 11 [16] [ page needed ] | License-built variant of the Northrop F-5 | |
Transport | ||||||
Lockheed C-130 Hercules | United States | Transport | C-130B/H | 4 [16] [17] | ||
CASA C212 | Spain | Transport | 3 [16] | STOL capable aircraft | ||
CASA/IPTN CN-235 | Indonesia / Spain | Transport | 2 [16] | |||
Beechcraft Super King Air | United States | Transport | 200 | 1 [16] | ||
Britten-Norman BN-2 | United Kingdom | Utility | 1 [16] | |||
Dornier 328 | Germany | Transport | 1[ citation needed ] | |||
Bombardier Global Express | Canada | VIP transport | Global 5000 | 1 [18] | ||
Helicopters | ||||||
Bell 412 | United States | Utility | 6 [16] | |||
Eurocopter AS350 | France | Liaison / Utility | 10 [16] | |||
Trainer aircraft | ||||||
Canadair CF-5 | Canada | Conversion trainer | CF-5D [19] | 4 [16] | License-built variant of the Northrop F-5 | |
Pilatus PC-7 | Switzerland | Trainer | Mk II | 5 [16] |
Previous aircraft operated by the Air Force were the Gulfstream IV, Cessna 150, Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander, Scottish Aviation Bulldog, and Short Skyvan. [20]
The Botswana Defence Force Air Wing has been considering a replacement for the BF-5 since 2013, due to the fact that the Canadair CF-5s are old, built in the 1970s, and are increasingly hard to maintain and to find spare parts for them. [21] A report in 2013 by the then the head of the BDF’s air arm, Major General Odirile Mashinyana, recognized the need to replace the aircraft, but also advised that upgrading the BF-5s would allow time to save funds for a well chosen successor. [22] Since that time, the KAI T-50 Golden Eagle, [23] used versions of the F-16, and the Saab Gripen were all considered. [24] [25] The most recent, and most likely, potential replacement is the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited new HAL Tejas fighter. [26]
The rank insignia of commissioned officers.
Rank group | General / flag officers | Senior officers | Junior officers | |||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Botswana Defence Force Air Wing [27] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Major general | Brigadier | Colonel | Lieutenant colonel | Major | Captain | First lieutenant | Second lieutenant |
The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.
Rank group | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Botswana Defence Force Air Wing [27] | No insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Warrant officer class 1 | Warrant officer class 2 | Staff sergeant | Sergeant | Corporal | Lance corporal | Private (or equivalent) |
According to sources in Botswana, the southern African country recently signed a contract to purchase at least three short-range systems from Silver Arrow
Transportation in Botswana is provided by an extensive network of railways, highways, ferry services and air routes that criss-cross the country. The transport sector in Botswana played an important role in economic growth following its independence in 1966. The country discovered natural resources which allowed it to finance the development of infrastructure, and policy ensured that the transport sector grew at an affordable pace commensurate with demands for services.
The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) is the aerial service branch of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) responsible for controlling and defending the airspace of the country, and providing air support to the Army and Navy. It was established in 1968 as the Singapore Air Defence Command (SADC) before renaming to its current name in 1975.
Serowe is an urban village in Botswana's Central District. A trade and commercial centre, it is Botswana's third largest village. Serowe has played an important role in Botswana's history, as capital for the Bamangwato people in the early 20th century and as birthplace of several of Botswana's presidents. More recently it has undergone significant development as the town and as Botswana continues to grow.
The Kenya Air Force (KAF) or Swahili: Jeshi la Wanahewa is the national aerial warfare service branch of the Republic of Kenya.
Air Botswana Corporation is Botswana's state-owned national flag carrier, with its headquarters located in Gaborone. It operates scheduled domestic and regional flights from its main base at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport. Air Botswana has been loss-making for several years, and there have been various attempts to privatise the company, and frequent changes to the corporation's management and board, so far without reducing the losses.
Sir Seretse Khama International Airport, located 15 kilometres (9 mi) north of downtown Gaborone, is the main international airport of the capital city of Botswana. The airport is named after Sir Seretse Khama, the first president of Botswana. It was opened in 1984 to handle regional and international traffic. It has the largest passenger movement in the country. In 2017 the airport got its first special economic zone which would house in the following departments: CAAB, Botswana Innovation Hub, ITPA and diamond hub for diamond sector.
The Botswana Defence Force is the military of Botswana. The main component of the BDF is the Botswana Ground Force; there is also an air wing and a riverine patrol contingent attached to the ground forces, with 10 Panther airboats and 2 Boston Whaler Raider class.
The Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) is the air arm of the armed forces of the state of Qatar. It was established in 1974 as a small aerial support wing, although in modern times it has evolved into a potent, well equipped force. The QEAF is headquartered at Al-Udeid Air Base in Doha; the current commander is Brigadier General (Pilot) Jassem Mohamed Al-Mannai.
The National Air Force of Angola is the air force branch of the Angolan Armed Forces.
On 11 October 1999, an Air Botswana ATR 42-320 piloted by Chris Phatswe, an Air Botswana pilot, intentionally crashed the aircraft into a group of aircraft at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone, Botswana. He was the only casualty. His actions effectively crippled operations for Air Botswana.
Phillip Gaonwe Matante International Airport, also known as Francistown International Airport, serves Francistown, Botswana. The public airport, which caters to both commercial and national military's aircraft, is on the western edge of the city. The airport was named after Philip Matante.
The Namibian Air Force is the aerial warfare branch of the Namibian Defence Force. It was commissioned on 13 March 2005 at Grootfontein Air Force Base. Following the independence of Namibia from South Africa in 1990, the Air Defence Wing of the Namibian Defence Force was established on 23 July 1994. The Air Force headquarters is located at Karibib Air Force Base. The policy, mission statements and concept of operations envisage the development of an Air Force to operate in support of the Army and the Navy.
The United Arab Emirates Air Force (UAEAF) is the air force of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), part of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces. Its predecessor was established in 1968, when the Emirates were still under British rule. Since then, it has undergone a continual reorganisation and expansion in terms of both capability and numbers of aircraft. Currently, the UAEAF has around 4,000 personnel and operates approximately 560 fixed wing and rotorcraft.
Louis Matshwenyego Fisher was commander of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) from 1998 to 2006. He is a recipient of the Légion d'honneur and a Presidential Order of Honour.
The Botswana Ground Forces is the army of the country of Botswana, and the land component of the Botswana Defence Force.
The Belize Defence Force Air Wing is the aviation branch of the Belize Defence Force. Formed in 1983, it is based at the Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport in Ladyville. The main tasks of the Air Wing are Reconnaissance, SAR, CASEVAC, aerial resupply and troop transport. Furthermore, they assist the police in drug interdiction and anti-smuggling operations, and can be called upon by the Maritime Wing.
Molepolole Airport was an airport serving Molepolole, Botswana.
Thebephatshwa Airport is an airport serving Molepolole, in the Kweneng District of Botswana. The airport is 24 kilometres (15 mi) northwest of Molepolole.
The following lists events that happened during the 1970s in Botswana.