Zimbabwe Defence Forces
(ZDF)
The Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) are composed of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) and the Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ). As a landlocked country, Zimbabwe has no navy. The most senior commander of the ZDF is General Philip Valerio Sibanda. At the time of independence after the Rhodesian Bush War, then Prime Minister Robert Mugabe declared that integrating Zimbabwe's three armed forces would be one of Zimbabwe's top priorities. The existing Rhodesian Army was combined with the two guerrilla armies; the 20,000-strong Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA) forces of Zimbabwe African National Union-PF and the 15,000-strong Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) forces of PF-Zimbabwe African People's Union. The current manpower stands at an estimated strength of 29,000 in the Army and an estimated 4,000 in the Air Force. Since the Rhodesian Bush War, the armed forces have been mostly involved with the suppression of non-state armed cells in a number of operations. In 2007, the Zimbabwe National Army had an estimated strength of 29,000 and the Air Force of Zimbabwe had an estimated 4,000 men assigned.
Founded 18 May 1980; 41 years ago
Service branches Zimbabwe National Army, Air Force of Zimbabwe
Headquarters Harare
Conscription 18–24 years of age
Available for military service 5,500,000, age 15–49 (2017)
Fit for military service 3,175,000, age 15–49 (2017)
Reaching military age annually 310,000 (2017)
Active personnel 29,000 active; 21,800 paramilitary
Budget $420 million (2018)
Percent of GDP 2.16% (2018)
Ref: Wikipedia.
Zimbabwe
Air Force
Zimbabwe
Army
missing link
Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ)
The Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) is the air force of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces. It was known as the Rhodesian Air Force until 1980. The Air Force of Zimbabwe saw service in the Mozambican Civil War in 1985 and the Second Congo War of 1998–2001.
The AFZ is subdivided into the Administration Wing, the Engineering Wing, the Flying Wing, and the Regimental Wing.[6] The Administration Wing supports equipment purchasing, recruitment, staff support, food supplies, and related functions. The Engineering Wing maintains and inspects aircraft and related equipment, and covers the School of Technical Training, a tertiary education institution responsible for training aircraft maintenance engineering technicians. The training institute is the only federation aviation school in Africa. The Flying Wing handles aircrew personnel divided into eight squadrons at three primary bases. It also covers the schools for flying and parachute training. The Regimental Wing covers those squadrons specially selected to guard other AFZ assets, such as personnel and installations.[6] and weapon activations.
DIRECTORATES FOUND IN THE AIRFORCE OF ZIMBABWE
Regiment
Civil-Military Relations
Finance
Training
Health Services
Intelligence
Administration
Engineering
Ref: Wikipedia.
Equipment
Medium Cargo Aircraft
Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA)
The Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) is the primary branch of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces responsible for land-oriented military operations. It is the largest service branch under the Zimbabwean Joint Operations Command (JOC). The modern army has its roots in the Rhodesian Army, which was raised between 1963 and 1964 after the breakup of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. A Joint High Command created in March 1980 to oversee the integration of the formerly belligerent Rhodesian Security Forces, Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA), and the Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) officially established the Zimbabwe National Army in late 1980, nearly a year after the end of the Rhodesian Bush War.
The mission statement of the army is "to defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interests of Zimbabwe and to contribute to international peace and security" a mandate the force has been able to live up to in the region. It is considered an integral component of the JOC and falls under the ultimate authority of the President of Zimbabwe. The ZNA is directed by a Chief of the Army, the senior official being an Army Chief of Staff. Zimbabwe's highest-ranking army officer as of August 2021 is Lt. Gen. David SIgauke. In 2011, Harare continued to maintain a statutory strength of 40,000 active personnel; actual numbers hover closer to 30,000. ZNA reserves claim another 21,800, putting the combined component strength total at approximately 51,800.
The Zimbabwe National Army has eight brigade-sized formations, plus two district commands. These are 1 to 5 Infantry Brigades, Presidential Guard Brigade, Mechanised Brigade and Artillery Brigade, Harare District and Bulawayo District.
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1 Infantry Brigade, Khumalo Barracks, Bulawayo (Brig. Gen. Augustine Chiperwe)
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2 Infantry Brigade, Kaguyi Barracks (formerly Old Cranborne Barracks), Harare (Brig. Gen. Fidelis Mhonda)
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3 Infantry Brigade, Herbert Chitepo Barracks, Mutare (Brig. Gen. Eliah Bandama, until his death on 11 July 2014)
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4 Infantry Brigade, Gava Musungwa Zvinavashe Barracks, Masvingo (Brig. Gen. Exesbios Tshuma)
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5 Infantry Brigade, Ngezi Barracks, Kwekwe (Brig. Gen. Justin Mujaji, from 1 March 2012 ) Deputy Commander to February 2014 was Col. Morgan Mzilikazi Current Deputy Commander may be Col. Svitswa.
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Presidential Guard Brigade, Dzivarasekwa Barracks, Harare (Brig. Gen. Fidelis Mhunda)
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Mechanised Brigade, Inkomo Barracks, Harare (Maj. Gen. Paul Chima, Deputy Brigade Commander Col. Charles Shumba)
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Artillery Brigade, Domboshava (Brig. Gen. Stanley Mangena), Deputy Brigade Commander Col. Everson Nyamangodo.
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Harare District. Deputy Commander in 2014 was Lt. Col. Posani Matsaka.
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Bulawayo District. (Col. Exsebios Vusa Tshuma, although he is more recently reported as promoted to 4 Inf Bde commander).
One, now dated, web publication gave the infantry brigade organisation as:
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Three Combat Groups with 35 APCs each
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Reconnaissance Company
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Signals Company
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Mortar Battery (6 81/82-mm or 120-mm)
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SAM 3 Advanced battery
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Engineer company
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Supply and transport
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Workshop
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Medical units
Founded 18 April 1980
Size 25,000
Motto(s) "Our swords are the shield of the nation"
Anniversaries Defence Forces Day (12 August)
Ref: Wikipedia.
Equipment
