| Zambia Air Force | |
|---|---|
 Zambia Air Force roundel | |
| Founded | 1964; 61 years ago (1964) |
| Country |  Zambia |
| Type | Air force |
| Role | Aerial warfare |
| Part of | Zambia Defence Force |
| Headquarters | Lusaka |
| Motto(s) | "Defend and Support" |
| Commanders | |
| Commander-in-chief |  Hakainde Hichilema |
| Minister of Defence | Ambrose Lufuma |
| ZAF Commander |  Lieutenant GeneralOscar Nyoni |
| Deputy ZAF Commander |  Maj GenArthur kalaluka |
| Notable commanders | Lieutenant GeneralRonnie Shikapwasha |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel | |
| Fin flash |  |
| 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 |
TheZambia Air Force (ZAF) is theair force ofZambia and the air operations element of theZambian Defence Force. Following the creation of the Republic of Zambia in 1964, the formerNorthern Rhodesia Air Force was renamed as theZambia Air Force.
The primary missions of the Air Force are to defend Zambia's borders and protect itsairspace. 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]
Prior to the demise of theFederation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, military air operations in the thenBritish protectorate ofNorthern Rhodesia were provided by theRoyal Air Force, and then theRoyal Rhodesian Air Force.
TheNorthern Rhodesia Air Force was established on 1 March 1964, primarily operating in aliaison andtransport role. It consisted of twosquadrons:[1]
On 24 October 1964, on the date of the establishment of the independentRepublic 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 theUnited Kingdom as a supplier of aircraft, and recruiting British officers still was a standard practice. Thanks to deliveries of sixde Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunks and other equipment, the Flying Training School was formed. These were followed by fiveDHC-4A Caribous. Starting in 1966, moving away from the British became a priority, and the ZAF started favouring the purchase ofItalian andYugoslavian aircraft. In this period, deliveries ofAgusta-Bell AB.205s allowed for the formation of the ZAF's first helicopter squadron. Other aircraft acquired from Italy includedSIAI-Marchetti SF.260s andAermacchi MB-326GB light attack aircraft.Soko J-21 Jastrebs andSoko G-2 Galebs were delivered by Yugoslavia.[1]
In the late 1970s, relations with China increased in importance. In this period, 12Shenyang F-5s and FT-5s were delivered, as well as 12Shenyang F-6s. In September 1980, the USSR started the deliveries of at least 16MiG-21bis fighters and two MiG-21UM trainers.[2]
| Rank | Insignia |
|---|---|
| Lance corporal |  |
| Corporal | |
| Sergeant | |
| Staff Sergeant | |
| Warrant officer II | |
| Warrant officer l | |
| 2ND Lieutenant | |
| Lieutenant | |
| Captain | |
| Major | |
| Lieutenant Colonel | |
| Colonel | |
| Brigadier general | |
| Major general | |
| Lieutenant general | |
| General |
SourceInternational encyclopedia of uniform Insignia
Few details are available on force deployment, but combat elements are understood to be located atLusaka (K-8),Mbala (F-6) andMumbwa (MiG-21), with the small fleet of transport aircraft and utility helicopters also reportedly stationed atLusaka.[3] Zambia Air Force's JL-10 are equipped withPESA fire control radar along with wingtip rails forPL-5air-to-air missiles. A23mmgun pod can be mounted on the centreline. Fourhardpoints allow for variousordnance, including 250 and 500kgbombs, HF-18 57mm rocket pods,LS-6 guided bombs or theTL-10/YJ-9E air-to-surface missile.[4]
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| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Variant | In service | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combat aircraft | ||||||
| Shenyang J-6 | China | Fighter | F-6 | 8[5] | ||
| Transport | ||||||
| Beech 1900 | United States | Utility | 1[5] | |||
| C-27J Spartan | Italy | Transport | 2[5] | |||
| Cessna 208 | United States | Utility | 2[5] | |||
| Harbin Y-12 | China | Utility | 1[5] | |||
| Xi'an MA60 | China | Transport | 7[5] | |||
| Helicopters | ||||||
| Bell 205 | United States | Utility | 12[5] | |||
| Bell 206 | United States / Canada | Utility | 2[5] | |||
| Bell 212 | United States / Canada | Utility | 2[5] | |||
| Enstrom 480 | United States | Trainer | 2 on order[5] | |||
| Harbin Z-9 | China | Utility | 7[5] | |||
| Mil Mi-17 | Soviet Union /Russia | Utility | Mi-171 | 5[5] | ||
| Trainer | ||||||
| Hongdu JL-8 | China | Jet trainer | K-8 | 16[5] | ||
| Hongdu JL-10 | China | Attack / Jet trainer | L-15Z | 6[5] | ||
| Saab Safari | Sweden | Basic trainer | MFI-15 | 14[5] | ||
| Shenyang J-6 | China | Conversion trainer | FT-6 | 2[5] | ||
| SIAI-Marchetti SF.260 | Italy | Basic trainer | 12[5] | |||
| UAV | ||||||
| Elbit Hermes 450 | Israel | UCAV | 3[6] | |||
| 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 are typically under the leadership of an Air Officer Commanding (AOC) who holds a rank ofBrigadier General.
| 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[9] | 1991 - 1997 |
| Lieutenant General | Sande Kayumba | 1997 - 2001 |
| Lieutenant General | Christopher Singogo[10] | 2001 - 2006 |
| Lieutenant General | Samuel Mapala[10][11] | 2006 - 2010 |
| Lieutenant General | Andrew Sakala[11][12] | 2010 - 2011 |
| Lieutenant General | Eric Mwaba Chimese[13] | 2011 - 2018 |
| Lieutenant General | David Muma[14] | 2018 - 2021 |
| Lieutenant General | Colin Barry[15] | 2021 - 2023 |
| Lieutenant General | Oscar Nyoni[16] | 2023- |
