Zambia Air Force (ZAF)

What Zambia Air Force (ZAF) does

The Zambia Air Force (ZAF) is the air operations element of the Zambian Defence Force and the sole state organization constitutionally mandated to defend Zambian airspace and protect national borders from air threats. Headquartered in Lusaka with additional bases in Livingstone and Mumbwa, ZAF operates a heterogeneous fleet spanning legacy Soviet-era platforms (Shenyang J-6, MiG-21), Chinese trainer and combat aircraft (Hongdu L-15B Falcon), Italian tactical airlifters (Alenia C-27J Spartan), Western VIP and utility helicopters (Bell 205/212/412, AgustaWestland AW139, Bombardier Challenger 600, Gulfstream G650), and Israeli ISTAR UAVs (Elbit Hermes 450 and Hermes 900). Its core capabilities include integrated air defence, C4I command and control, tactical air mobility, surveillance and reconnaissance, counter-terrorism, humanitarian relief, and — newly added — agricultural support for food security. Complementary operational systems include the Flight Clearance Management System for nationwide airspace management and ZAFMail for internal communications. ZAF is structured under the authority of the President as Commander-in-Chief, currently led by Lieutenant General Oscar M A Nyoni (appointed December 2023), with seven departmental chiefs spanning operations, engineering, training, logistics, administration, audit, finance, and medical services.

Name

Zambia Air Force (ZAF)

Legal name

Zambia Air Force (ZAF)

Website

https://airforce.mil.zm

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

The Zambia Air Force (ZAF) is the state military organization constitutionally mandated to defend Zambian airspace, operating a heterogeneous fleet of combat, transport, utility, and UAV platforms from bases in Lusaka, Livingstone, and Mumbwa under the authority of the President of the Republic of Zambia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Military Aviation and Air Defence Services

NAICS

Other Support Activities for Air Transportation (488190), Air Traffic Control (488111), Flight Training (611512)

SIC

Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)

akta.pro primary industry

Military Aircraft Platforms (Fixed-Wing) (IMABAMAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Military/Defense Helicopter Manufacturing (IMABABAB), General Aviation (FBO) & Private Jet Security Services (BPAKAMAK), Manned Aerial Application (Fixed-Wing & Helicopter Crop Dusting) (AFACAIAA)

Keywords

• Military aviation
• Air defense services
• Aerial warfare
• Peacekeeping operations
• Unmanned aerial vehicles

Headquarters

HQ city

Lusaka

HQ country

Zambia

HQ region

Africa

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

The Zambia Air Force provides military aviation and air power capabilities as the Air Operations element of the Zambian Defence Force. Its core offerings include combat aircraft, transport aircraft, utility helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (Elbit Hermes 450 and 900), integrated air defense systems, flight clearance management, search and rescue, VVIP transport, and humanitarian relief operations to defend Zambian airspace and project national interests.

Product overview

The Zambia Air Force operates a diverse portfolio of military aviation products and services. Core offerings include the Flight Clearance Management System for airspace management and ZAFMail for personnel communications. The current aircraft fleet spans trainer aircraft (SIAI-Marchetti SF.260, Saab MFI-15 Safari, Bell 206, Enstrom 480B), transport aircraft (Dornier Do 28, DHC-5 Buffalo, HS 748, Harbin Y-12, Beechcraft 1900D, Xian MA60, C-27J Spartan), utility helicopters (Bell 205A/212, Bell 412, Harbin Z-9, Mil Mi-17), VVIP aircraft (AgustaWestland AW139, Bombardier Challenger 600, Gulfstream G650), ISTAR platforms (Elbit Hermes 450 and Hermes 900 UAVs), and combat aircraft (Shenyang J-6, MiG-21, Hongdu L-15B). Future acquisition plans include Chengdu J-10C, Dassault Rafale F4, CAIC Z-10, Airbus C295, AW101 Merlin, CH-47 Chinook, and C-130J Super Hercules. The organization also sponsors the Red Arrows Football Club.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Flight Clearance Management System Online system for managing and processing flight clearance requests for aircraft operating in Zambian airspace, with weather forecast integration.
• ZAFMail Email service for Zambia Air Force personnel providing secure communication, calendar, and contacts management capabilities.
• Bell 412EP Helicopter Operations Utility helicopter fleet donated by the United States government for domestic needs, regional security, and UN peacekeeping missions. Four helicopters provided with three years of service, parts, and training.
• Elbit Hermes 450 UAV Operations Israeli medium-sized multi-payload unmanned aerial vehicle designed for tactical long endurance missions with over 20 hours endurance. Primary mission of reconnaissance, surveillance and communications relay.
• Elbit Systems Hermes 900 Kochav UAV Operations Israeli medium-size, multi-payload, medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle designed for tactical missions. Successor to the Hermes 450 series.
• Hongdu L-15 Falcon Combat Training Supersonic advanced jet trainer and light combat aircraft for lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) requirements. Can be armed with PL-10, PL-12, PL-8 missiles and LT-2/LS-6 precision-guided bombs.
• Alenia C-27J Spartan Transport Operations Military transport aircraft developed by Leonardo, advanced derivative of the G.222 equipped with C-130J engines. Capable of tactical transport, maritime patrol, and surveillance missions.
• Red Arrows Football Club (RAFC) Professional football club sponsored by Zambia Air Force, competing in Zambia's MTN/FAZ Super Division. Won 2024 MTN Super League and ABSA Cup double championship.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered major, potential future, core and minor.

• United States GovernmentmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 September 2024United States announced an $80 million (1.6 billion Kwacha) grant to Zambia supplying four Bell 412EP helicopters to Zambia Air Force with three years of service, parts, and training. This grant enables ZAF to better support domestic needs, regional security, and UN peacekeeping missions abroad. Announcement made by US Africa Command General Michael Langley at the Africa Senior Enlisted Leaders Conference (ASELC) co-hosted by US and Zambia.
• United States Africa Command (AFRICOM)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 September 2024AFRICOM co-hosted the Africa Senior Enlisted Leaders Conference (ASELC) with Zambia from September 10-13. This annual conference convened senior enlisted leaders from approximately 30 African countries to discuss mutual challenges including crisis response, rule of law, protecting natural resources, addressing instability, and strengthening security cooperation. Zambia was the first African nation to host ASELC.
• Dassault Aviationpotential futureTechnology or IntegrationZAF is evaluating the Rafale F4 as a future 4.5th generation multi-role fighter. The Rafale offers omnirole capabilities including air superiority, close air support, deep strikes, reconnaissance, anti-ship strikes, and nuclear deterrence. It features multi-sensor data fusion technology.
• Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CAIC)potential futureTechnology or IntegrationZAF is evaluating the Chengdu J-10C (Vigorous Dragon) as a next 4.5th generation combat aircraft. The J-10C is a medium-weight, all-weather jet equipped with fourth-generation air-to-air missiles (PL-10, PL-15) and AESA radar.
• Airbus Defence and Spacepotential futureTechnology or IntegrationZAF is evaluating the C295 multi-role tactical medium airlifter capable of troop transport, cargo, maritime patrol, airborne warning, surveillance, reconnaissance, SIGINT, medical evacuation, VIP transport, and armed close air support missions.
• Boeingpotential futureTechnology or IntegrationZAF is evaluating the CH-47D/F Chinook heavy-lift utility and transport helicopter for joint logistics and tactical airlift operations, including transportation of troops, artillery, supplies, equipment, medical evacuation, and disaster relief.
• Leonardo Company (formerly AgustaWestland)potential futureTechnology or IntegrationZAF is evaluating the AW101 (EH101) Merlin/Cormorant utility helicopter for tactical troop transport, utility support, maritime interdiction, reconnaissance, anti-surface warfare, and search and rescue operations.
• Elbit SystemscoreTechnology or IntegrationZAF operates Elbit Hermes 450 and Hermes 900 Kochav unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for tactical long endurance missions including reconnaissance, surveillance, and communications relay. Also operates Elbit Hermes AC for Remotely Piloted Aircraft operations.
• 10BETminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor10BET is the official sponsor of Red Arrows Football Club (RAFC), a sports team under Zambia Air Force. The partnership is a three-year agreement supporting the football industry in Zambia and promoting the team's development.
• Savenda General Insurance LimitedminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSavenda General Insurance Limited, a locally owned Zambian company licensed to provide General Insurance Services, sponsors Red Arrows Football Club as part of their corporate social responsibility and brand presence across various sectors.
• Volt SportswearminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVolt Sportswear, a sports apparel company that began with outdoor sporting events and athletic wear design, provides sportswear sponsorship to Red Arrows Football Club.
• Lockheed Martinpotential futureTechnology or IntegrationZAF has expressed interest in F-35 Lightning II capabilities as part of future air power discussions. The F-35 offers 5th generation capabilities including stealth, advanced sensors, information fusion, and network connectivity.
• CAIC (Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation)potential futureTechnology or IntegrationZAF is evaluating the CAIC Z-10 attack helicopter as a future 4th generation platform. The Z-10 is comparable to western attack helicopters like AH-1 Cobra and AH-64 Apache, powered by Pratt & Whitney PT6C-67C engines.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Zimbabwe Air Force: Southern African peer air force with a historically significant fleet (including Hawk trainers and Mi-35 helicopters) now constrained by economic sanctions. ZAF's planned modernization trajectory positions it to overtake Zimbabwe in capability over the medium term.
• Kenya Air Force: The aerial branch of the Kenyan Defence Forces and ZAF's closest regional peer. Operates a similarly diverse East-African mission set (air defence, ISR, transport, peacekeeping) with a comparable mix of Western, Chinese, and legacy Soviet-era platforms, making it a direct benchmark for fleet size, doctrine, and budget priorities.
• Botswana Defence Force Air Wing: A relatively well-funded but geographically compact Southern African air element. Operates Western platforms (CF-6, Beechcraft, Bell) and shares a similar constitutional mandate to defend national airspace, making it a useful peer on training and air policing doctrine.
• Uganda Air Force / UPDF Air Wing: A small Sub-Saharan air arm focused on internal security, counter-insurgency, and peacekeeping. Operates a mixed legacy fleet and provides a comparable benchmark for low-budget, multi-role air forces in the East African region.
• Tanzania Air Force Command: Small Southern African air arm serving a neighbouring nation with comparable GDP profile and donor-driven procurement. Operates legacy Chinese and Western platforms and participates in regional peacekeeping, making it a tight functional peer for ZAF.

Broad incumbents

• Nigerian Air Force: Largest air force in West Africa with a substantial combat, transport, and ISR fleet. Relevant peer for ZAF's modernization aspirations because Nigeria has actively pursued a similar Chinese-platform-influenced upgrade path (JF-17, Leonardo M-346).
• Royal Malaysian Air Force: A medium-sized air force with a similar multi-role profile (fighters, transport, helicopters, UAVs) and active procurement of Western and Russian platforms. Useful as a structural peer for fleet mix and modernization planning, although operating in a different region.
• South African Air Force: The dominant regional air incumbent in Sub-Saharan Africa. Operates advanced platforms (Gripen, Hawk, Rooivalk) and a large professional force. While much larger than ZAF, it sets the regional capability benchmark and engages in joint exercises with ZAF.

Others

• Elbit Systems: Major Israeli supplier of ZAF's Hermes 450/900 UAVs and a core technology partner. While not a peer air force, Elbit is the most directly comparable ecosystem counterpart — a private-sector entity whose fortunes scale with ZAF's UAV and ISTAR investment decisions.

Regional players

• Angolan Air Force / Força Aérea Nacional Angolana: A Southern African air force with a large but aging Soviet-era fleet and active modernization efforts. Comparable to ZAF in scale of legacy inventory and donor relationships, though operating from a different regional security posture.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/The-Zambia-Air-Force-61558370966847
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zambia-air-force-1964

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Zambia Air Force (ZAF)