Zambian Air Force

Zambian Air Force
Air Force roundel
Active	1968 - present
Country	Zambia
Branch	Air force
Garrison/HQ	Lusaka
Commanders
Current commander	Erick Mwaba Chimese
Notable commanders	Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha
Insignia
Ensign
Aircraft flown
Attack	MiG-21
Bomber	MiG-19
Fighter	MiG-21MF
Trainer	Aermacchi SF.260, Hongdu K-8 Karakorum
Transport	Antonov An-26, Harbin Y-12, Xian MA60

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 organisation 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':

Few details are available on force deployment, but combat elements are understood to be located at Lusaka (K-8), Mbala (F-6) and Mumbwa (MiG-21), with the small fleet of transport aircraft and utility helicopters also reportedly stationed at Lusaka.