Zambian Air Force
Key facts
Official Name | Zambian Air Force |
Local Name | Zambian Air Force |
Country | 🇿🇲 Zambia |
World rank | #80 |
Active aircrafts | 77 as of 2025 |
Aircrafts on order | 0 |
Roundel |
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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 | |
---|---|---|
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30 | |
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19 | |
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17 | |
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11 |
Full inventory in 2025
Zambian Air Force
Aircraft Type | Model | Origin Country | Model Year | Active | 𝚫 YoY | Ordered | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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K-8 | 🇨🇳 🇵🇰 | 1994 | 15 | -1 |
0 |
|
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Cessna 208 | 🇺🇸 | 1984 | 2 | 0 |
0 |
|
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Bell 205 | 🇺🇸 | 1959 | 12 | 0 |
0 |
|
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Z-9 | 🇨🇳 | 1994 | 7 | 0 |
0 |
|
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Mi-171 | 🇨🇳 | 1977 | 5 | 0 |
0 |
|
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Bell 212/412 | 🇺🇸 | 1959 | 4 | +4 |
0 |
|
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Bell 206 | 🇺🇸 | 1967 | 2 | 0 |
0 |
|
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Y-12 | 🇨🇳 | 1985 | 7 | 0 |
0 |
|
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C-27J | 🇮🇹 | 1978 | 2 | 0 |
0 |
|
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Beech 1900 | 🇺🇸 | 1984 | 1 | 0 |
0 |
|
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MA60 | 🇨🇳 | 1969 | 1 | 0 |
0 |
|
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SF-260 | 🇮🇹 | 1966 | 11 | -1 |
0 |
|
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L-15 | 🇨🇳 | 2013 | 6 | 0 |
0 |
|
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Enstrom 480B | 🇺🇸 | 1993 | 2 | +2 |
0 |