Zambian Air Force

Key facts

Official Name Zambian Air Force
Local Name Zambian Air Force
Country🇿🇲 Zambia
World rank#80
Active aircrafts77 as of 2025
Aircrafts on order0
Roundel

Roundel of Zambia air force

Overview

The Zambia Air Force (ZAF) is the air arm of the Zambia Defence Force. It was established in 1964, when Zambia gained independence from British colonial rule. The ZAF is responsible for the country's aerial defense and plays a vital role in national security. The force operates a range of aircraft, including fighter jets, transport planes, helicopters, and trainers. The ZAF's primary mission is to assert air superiority, protect Zambian airspace, and support ground forces during operations. The force has participated in various peacekeeping missions under the United Nations and the Southern African Development Community. The ZAF has a modest fleet size and focuses on maintaining operational readiness through regular training exercises and collaborations with other air forces. In recent years, the ZAF has received modernized aircraft and equipment to enhance its capabilities.

Origin countries of aircrafts

Country Active Aircraft
🇨🇳 China 35
🇺🇸 United States 23
🇵🇰 Pakistan 15
🇮🇹 Italy 13
🇨🇳 Ex-USSR 6

Evolution of Zambian Air Force fleet

Aircrafts by type in 2025

Aircraft type Active
Helicopter Helicopter 30
Training Training 19
Combat Combat 17
Transport Transport 11

Full inventory in 2025

Zambian Air Force

Aircraft Type Model Origin Country Model Year Active 𝚫 YoY Ordered
CombatCombat K-8 🇨🇳 🇵🇰 1994 15
-1
0
CombatCombat Cessna 208 🇺🇸 1984 2
0
0
HelicopterHelicopter Bell 205 🇺🇸 1959 12
0
0
HelicopterHelicopter Z-9 🇨🇳 1994 7
0
0
HelicopterHelicopter Mi-171 🇨🇳 1977 5
0
0
HelicopterHelicopter Bell 212/412 🇺🇸 1959 4
+4
0
HelicopterHelicopter Bell 206 🇺🇸 1967 2
0
0
TransportTransport Y-12 🇨🇳 1985 7
0
0
TransportTransport C-27J 🇮🇹 1978 2
0
0
TransportTransport Beech 1900 🇺🇸 1984 1
0
0
TransportTransport MA60 🇨🇳 1969 1
0
0
TrainingTraining SF-260 🇮🇹 1966 11
-1
0
TrainingTraining L-15 🇨🇳 2013 6
0
0
TrainingTraining Enstrom 480B 🇺🇸 1993 2
+2
0
Various public data, including Wikipedia, Flightglobal.com, SIPRI Arms Transfer and official government websites.