Zambian Air Force
The Zambian 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 Rhodesian Air Wing was renamed as the Zambia Air Wing which lasted until 1968. The Zambian Air Force was then established.
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 organization 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.
The IISS Military Balance 2013 lists the following aircraft, all with 'very low serviceability'.
Aircraft Inventory[edit | edit source]
Combat Aircraft[edit | edit source]
- Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21MF x 10 (Fighter)
- Shenyang F-6A x 8 (Light Attack Aircraft)
Transport Aircraft[edit | edit source]
- Alenia C-27J Spartan x 2 (Transport Aircraft)
- Dornier Do28 x 6 (Transport Aircraft)
- Harbin Y-12 x 8 (Transport)
- Xian MA60 x 2 (Utility Transport)
Helicopters[edit | edit source]
- Bell 205 x 12 (Utility Helicopter)
- Bell 206 x 2 (Utility Helicopter)
- Harbin Z-9 x 8 (Utility Helicopter)
- Mil Mi-171 x 4 (Transport Helicopter)
Trainer Aircraft[edit | edit source]
- Hongdu K-8 Karakorum x 16 (Jet Trainer)
- Hongdu L-15 Falcon x 6 (Jet Trainer)
- SIAI-Marchetti SF.260TW x 12 (Trainer Aircraft)
- Shenyang FT-6 x 2 (Jet Trainer)