Zambian Air Force

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Zambia Air Force
Roundel of Zambia.svg
Zambia Air Force roundel
Founded1964;60 years ago (1964)
CountryFlag of Zambia.svg  Zambia
Type Air force
Role Aerial warfare
Part of Zambia Defence Force
Headquarters Lusaka
Motto(s)"Defend and Support"
Commanders
Current
commander		 Lieutenant General Oscar Nyoni
Notable
commanders		 Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha
Insignia
Fin flash Fin Flash of Zambia.svg
Aircraft flown
Fighter Hongdu L-15, Shenyang J-6
Helicopter Mil Mi-17, Bell 205, Bell 206
Trainer Aermacchi SF.260, Hongdu K-8, Hongdu L-15, FT-6, Aermacchi MB-326
Transport Harbin Y-12, Xian MA60, Alenia C-27J Spartan


The Zambia Air Force (ZAF) is the air force of Zambia and the air operations element of the Zambian Defence Force. Following the creation of the Republic of Zambia in 1964, the former Northern Rhodesia Air Force was renamed as the Zambia Air Force.

Contents

The primary missions of the Air Force are to defend Zambia's borders and protect its airspace. In addition, it provides various forms of air support to other government departments. It also flies reconnaissance, trooping and transport missions for the police and airlifts medical supplies and personnel to inaccessible areas. Finally, the organisation provides emergency transport whenever needed.[ citation needed ]

History

Prior to the demise of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, military air operations in the then British protectorate of Northern Rhodesia were provided by the Royal Air Force, and then the Royal Rhodesian Air Force.

The Northern Rhodesia Air Force was established on 1 March 1964, primarily operating in a liaison and transport role. It consisted of two squadrons: [1]

On 24 October 1964, on the date of the establishment of the independent Republic of Zambia, the name of the Northern Rhodesia Air Force was subsequently changed to Zambian Air Force. The early years of the ZAF saw continued close cooperation with the United Kingdom as a supplier of aircraft, and recruiting British officers still was a standard practice. Thanks to deliveries of six de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunks and other equipment, the Flying Training School was formed. These were followed by five DHC-4A Caribous. Starting in 1966, moving away from the British became a priority, and the ZAF started favouring the purchase of Italian and Yugoslavian aircraft. In this period, deliveries of Agusta-Bell AB.205s allowed for the formation of the ZAF's first helicopter squadron. Other aircraft acquired from Italy included SIAI-Marchetti SF.260s and Aermacchi MB-326GB light attack aircraft. Soko J-21 Jastrebs and Soko G-2 Galebs were delivered by Yugoslavia. [1]

In the late 1970s, relations with China increased in importance. In this period, 12 Shenyang F-5s and FT-5s were delivered, as well as 12 Shenyang F-6s. In September 1980, the USSR started the deliveries of at least 16 MiG-21bis fighters and two MiG-21UM trainers. [2]

Equipment

Few details are available on force deployment, but combat elements are understood to be located at Lusaka (K-8), Mbala (F-6) and Mumbwa (MiG-21), with the small fleet of transport aircraft and utility helicopters also reportedly stationed at Lusaka. [3] Zambia Air Force's JL-10 are equipped with PESA fire control radar along with wingtip rails for PL-5 air-to-air missiles. A 23mm gun pod can be mounted on the centreline. Four hardpoints allow for various ordnance, including 250 and 500kg bombs, HF-18 57mm rocket pods, LS-6 guided bombs or the TL-10/YJ-9E air-to-surface missile. [4]

Current inventory

Zambian Air Force MA60 Zambian Air Force MA-60 MTI-1.jpg
Zambian Air Force MA60
Zambian Air Force Harbin Y-12 Zambian AF Yarbin Y-12 AF215 (8409115700).jpg
Zambian Air Force Harbin Y-12
Zambian Air Force Hongdu K-8 Zambian Air Force Hongdu K-8 at AAD 2000.jpg
Zambian Air Force Hongdu K-8
AircraftOriginTypeVariantIn serviceNotes
Combat Aircraft
Hongdu JL-10 China light attack / LIFT L-15Z 6 [5] [4] [6]
Shenyang J-6 China fighter F-6A 102 FT-6’s provide conversion training [5]
Transport
Alenia C-27J Italy transport 2 [5]
Beechcraft 1900 United States transport1 [5]
Cessna 208 United Statestransport2 [5]
Xian MA60 Chinatransport1 [5]
Harbin Y-12 Chinatransport7 [5]
Gulfstream G650 United States VIP transport 1 [7]
Helicopters
Bell 205 United States utility 12 [5]
Bell 206 United Statesutility2 [5]
Bell 212 United Statesutility1 [5]
Mil Mi-17 Russia utility Mi-171 5 [5]
Harbin Z-9 Chinautility7 [5]
Trainer Aircraft
Hongdu JL-8 Chinajet trainer K-8 16 [5]
Saab Safari Sweden trainer MFI-15 14 [5]
SIAI-Marchetti SF.260 Italytrainer12 [5]
Enstrom 480 United States rotorcraft trainer2 on order [8]
UAV
Elbit Hermes 450 Israel 3 [9]

Air defence systems

ModelOriginTypeVariantNumberNotes
Rapier United Kingdom Surface-to-air missile
S-125 Soviet Union Surface-to-air missile
M-1939 Soviet Union Anti-aircraft gun
ZPU-4 Soviet Union Anti-aircraft gun
ZU-23-2 Soviet Union Anti-aircraft gun

Commands

Commands are typically under the leadership of an Air Officer Commanding (AOC) who holds a rank of Brigadier General.

Formations

Flying units

Training units

Leadership

Commanders

RankNamePeriod
Group Captain John Edward Kilduff1964 - 1972
Lieutenant General Peter Dingiswayo Zuze1972 - 1976
Major General Christopher Kabwe1976 - 1980
Lieutenant GeneralHannania Lungu1980 - 1990
Lieutenant GeneralHerbert Simutowe1990 - 1991
Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha [12] 1991 - 1997
Lieutenant GeneralSande Kayumba1997 - 2001
Lieutenant GeneralChristopher Singogo [13] 2001 - 2006
Lieutenant GeneralSamuel Mapala [13] [14] 2006 - 2010
Lieutenant GeneralAndrew Sakala [14] [15] 2010 - 2011
Lieutenant GeneralEric Mwaba Chimese [16] 2011 - 2018
Lieutenant GeneralDavid Muma [17] 2018 - 2021
Lieutenant General Colin Barry [18] 2021 - 2023
Lieutenant General Oscar Nyoni [19] 2023-

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References

Notes

  1. 1 2 Cooper et al. 2011 , p. 199
  2. ↑ Cooper et al. 2011 , pp. 199–200
  3. ↑ "Defense & Security Intelligence & Analysis: IHS Jane's - IHS".
  4. 1 2 Donald, David. "China's L-15 Jet Displayed by Zambia In South Africa". Aviation International News. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 "World Air Forces 2023" . Flightglobal Insight. 2023. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  6. ↑ DEPT, ZAF ICT. "Past to Present". Zambia Air Force | ZAF. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  7. ↑ "Zambia : The Decision to Purchase the Expensive Gulf-Stream G650 instead of ATR 72 was reckless and irresponsible". 9 January 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  8. ↑ "Zambian Air Force orders Enstrom 480B helicopters". defenceWeb. 20 April 2023. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  9. ↑ "Zambian military parades new weapons * Military Africa". Military Africa. 29 June 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Welcome to What We do Page". Zambia Air Force. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 "About Zambia Air Force". Zambia Air Force. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  12. ↑ "Zambia: Chiluba Sacks Vice President In Major Cabinet Reshuffle". allafrica.com. 2 December 1997. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  13. 1 2 "People's Daily Online -- Zambian president fires air force commander". en.people.cn.
  14. 1 2 "Zambia : President Banda retires top defense Chiefs(corrected)". 7 April 2010.
  15. ↑ "ZRA boss suspended". Archived from the original on 25 December 2011. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
  16. ↑ "President Sata Suspends Two Contracts". Truly Zambian. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012.
  17. ↑ "Pres. Lungu Replaces Chimese as ZAF Commander". Zambia Online.
  18. ↑ Moonga, Chambwa (30 August 2021). "I have a lot to offer to the air force - ZAF Commander Lt Gen Colin Barry". The Zambian Observer. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  19. ↑ Mwitumwa, Buumba (20 December 2023). "We don't want confusion in ZAF, Hichilema warns new Commander". The Zambian Observer. Retrieved 9 January 2024.

Bibliography

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