Zambian Air Force
| Zambia Air Force | |
|---|---|
 Zambian Air Force roundel | |
| Founded | 1964 |
| Country |  Zambia |
| Type | Air force |
| Role | Aerial warfare |
| Part of | Zambian Defence Force |
| Headquarters | Lusaka |
| Motto(s) | "Defend and Support" |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Lieutenant General Colin Barry [1] |
| Notable commanders | Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel | |
| Fin flash |  |
| Flag |  |
| 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 Wing was renamed as the Zambia Air Wing. The Zambia Air Force was then established.[2]
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. One of the more recent relief operations mounted by the Air Arm occurred in early 2007, when it came to the aid of flood victims in the North-Western Province.[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 Wing was established on 1 March 1964, primarily operating in a reconnaissance and transport role. Itconsisted of two squadrons based at Livingstone Airport.
- No. 1 Squadron NRAF operated a fleet of WW2 era Douglas Dakota as well as Hunting Percival Pembroke transports.
- No. 2 Squadron RNAF operated De Havilland DHC-2 Beavers in a communication and reconnaissance role.
On the 24th of October 1964, on the date of the establishment of the independent Republic of Zambia, the name of the Northern Rhodesia Air Wing was subsequently changed to the Zambia Air Force. The early years of the ZAF saw continued close cooperation with the United Kingdom as a supplier of aircraft, along with doctrine and training cooperation. A Royal Air Force team was sent to Zambia in order to train the newly independent force. This saw the formation of a Flying Training School (FTS) along with a Technical Training School (TTS). DHC-1 Chipmunk trainers, along with Douglas Dakota and Hunting Percival Pembroke transports were provided by the United Kingdom. These were followed on with the delivery of an order of DHC-4A Caribou and DHC-2 Beaver aircraft in the mid to late 60s. A Hawker Siddely HS748 was acquired for use as a VIP transport in 1967. This aircraft was written off in an accident in 1969, with a replacement arriving in 1971.
The 1970s saw the Zambian Air Force move away from the United Kingdom, favouring the purchase of Italian and Yugoslavian aircraft.
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
Air defence systems
| Model | Origin | Type | Variant | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
- Strike Command[11]
- Training Command[11]
- Tactical Air Mobility Command[11]
- Logistics Command[11]
- Northern Air Defence Command[11]
- Central Air Defence Command[11]
Formations
Flying Units
- No. 1 Squadron "With exellence"[12]
- No. 8 Squadron "Ready to Move"[12]
- No. 10 Squadron "On eagle wings, we lift"[12]
- No. 11 Squadron "Warrior spirit"[12]
- No. 14 Squadron "Strike Command"[12]
- No. 21 Squadron "Fighting vipers"[12]
- No. 22 Squadron "Anytime Anywhere"[12]
- No. 33 Squadron "Service above self"[12]
- No. 43 Squadron "Poised and ready to strike"[12]
Training Units
- Centre for Advanced learning "Learning for profficiency" [12]
- Zambia Air Force Academy "To learn to defence our country"[12]
- Technical Training School "Strive for excellency"[12]
- Ground training School "Knowledge Efficiency"[12]
- Flying Traiining School "Nihil Nisi Optima"[12]
- Air Defence School "Excellence through knowledge"[12]
Leadership
Commanders
| Rank | Name | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Group Captain | John Edward Kilduff | 1964 - 1972 |
| Lieutenant General | Peter Dingiswayo Zuze | 1972 - 1976 |
| Major General | Christopher Kabwe | 1976 - 1980 |
| Lieutenant General | Hannania Lungu | 1980 - 1990 |
| Lieutenant General | Herbert Simutowe | 1990 - 1991 |
| Lieutenant General | Ronnie Shikapwasha[13] | 1991 - 1997 |
| Lieutenant General | Sande Kayumba | 1997 - 2001 |
| Lieutenant General | Christopher Singogo[14] | 2001 - 2006 |
| Lieutenant General | Samuel Mapala[14][15] | 2006 - 2010 |
| Lieutenant General | Andrew Sakala[15][16] | 2010 - 2011 |
| Lieutenant General | Eric Mwaba Chimese[17] | 2011 - 2018 |
| Lieutenant General | David Muma[1] | 2018 - 2021 |
| Lieutenant General | Colin Barry[18] | 2021 - |
References
- ^ a b "Pres. Lungu Replaces Chimese as ZAF Commander". Zambia Online.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 October 2011. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Defense & Security Intelligence & Analysis: IHS Jane's - IHS".
- ^ Donald, David. "China's L-15 Jet Displayed by Zambia In South Africa". Aviation International News. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "How Afghanistan's fall reshaped World Air Forces inventory". Flight Global. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
- ^ Donald, David. "China's L-15 Jet Displayed by Zambia In South Africa". Aviation International News. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
- ^ DEPT, ZAF ICT. "Past to Present". Zambia Air Force | ZAF. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
- ^ "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.
- ^ {https://www.airforce.mil.zm/index.html}}
- ^ "Zambian military parades new weapons * Military Africa". Military Africa. 29 June 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f "Welcome to What We do Page". Zambia Air Force. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "About Zambia Air Force". Zambia Air Force. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
- ^ "Zambia: Chiluba Sacks Vice President In Major Cabinet Reshuffle". allafrica.com. 2 December 1997. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
- ^ a b "People's Daily Online -- Zambian president fires air force commander".
- ^ a b "Zambia : President Banda retires top defense Chiefs(corrected)".
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 25 December 2011. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "President Sata Suspends Two Contracts". Truly Zambian. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012.
- ^ zamobserver (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.