Zambian Air Force
The Zambia Air Force grew from a colonial air wing of Dakotas and Beavers at Livingstone in 1964, could only watch as Rhodesian jets bombed camps near Lusaka in 1978, flew Soviet MiG-21s until 2009, and today relies on Chinese K-8 and L-15Z jets and a mixed helicopter fleet.
The Zambian Air Force story: Dakotas at Livingstone, the “Green Leader” raid and Chinese jets after the MiG-21
1964–1968: from Northern Rhodesia’s air wing to an air force
The Zambia Air Force’s own history begins with the Northern Rhodesian Air Wing of the colonial Federation. From 1 March 1964 it was the Northern Rhodesia Air Force, flying from Livingstone airport with two squadrons: No. 1 with four Dakotas and two Hunting Pembrokes for transport, No. 2 with six de Havilland Canada Beavers for liaison and reconnaissance. When Northern Rhodesia became the Republic of Zambia on 24 October 1964 the unit was renamed the Zambia Air Wing, and in 1968, according to the ZAF, the Zambian Air Force was established as a service in its own right; Wikipedia dates the change of name to independence itself. Group Captain Kilduff led it until 1972, when Peter Zuze took over. The service is officially the Zambia Air Force, although Wikipedia and many writers say "Zambian".
The 1970s: Yugoslav, Italian and Chinese aircraft
Britain supplied the first aircraft; Italian, Yugoslav, Chinese and Soviet help followed, in the ZAF’s own words. In the late 1960s and 1970s Zambia bought Agusta-Bell 205 helicopters, which formed its first helicopter squadron, SF.260 and MB-326GB trainers from Italy, Saab Supporter and Safari primary trainers from Sweden, Soko Jastreb and Galeb jets from Yugoslavia and, from China, Shenyang F-6 fighters and FT-5 trainers, 12 of each according to Wikipedia. It was an eclectic, non-aligned fleet, and for all its variety it was not an air defence force able to meet a modern opponent. The ZAF’s stated vision, "A Modernised Combat Capable Air force", still describes a goal rather than the present.
1978–1979: the Rhodesian raids and the "Green Leader" message
That became plain in 1978. After ZIPRA, the armed wing of Joshua Nkomo’s ZAPU, shot down the Air Rhodesia Viscount Flight 825 on 3 September 1978, Rhodesia struck ZIPRA camps in Zambia from 19 to 21 October in Operation Gatling. Canberras and Hunters bombed Westlands Farm near Lusaka, and the strike leader, Squadron Leader Chris Dixon, calling himself "Green Leader", told Lusaka tower that Rhodesian Hunters were circling Zambia’s airfields with orders to shoot down any fighter that took off. No Zambian aircraft did. Rhodesia claimed 1,500 guerrillas killed; ZAPU’s account describes hundreds of young refugees killed at the camp, and the historians Moorcraft and McLaughlin call the Rhodesian figure considerably exaggerated. ZIPRA shot down a second Viscount in February 1979.
1980–2009: the MiG-21 years
The answer came from Moscow. From September 1980 the Soviet Union delivered at least 16 MiG-21bis fighters and two MiG-21UM trainers, and Rapier and S-125 missiles gave Zambia a ground-based air defence; the service at times used the title Zambia Air Force and Air Defence Command. Long-serving commanders such as Lieutenant General Hannania Lungu (1980–1990) led it through the 1980s. About 12 or 13 MiG-21s went to Israel Aerospace Industries for overhaul in 1997, and at least three never came back because Zambia could not pay for them. The whole MiG-21 fleet was withdrawn in early 2009, leaving Zambia without a supersonic fighter, a gap it has not filled since.
2010–2026: Chinese jets, American helicopters, humanitarian work
The modern ZAF has rebuilt around Chinese jets and Western and Russian helicopters. It flies about 15 K-8 jet trainers and, since 2016–2017, six L-15Z advanced trainers with radar and missiles, ordered for about 100 million US dollars. SF-260TWs arrived from 2012, Mi-171 helicopters from Russia in 2015–2017, and two C-27J Spartans. The United States granted four Bell 412EPs in September 2023 and approved a possible further sale in January 2025. Under Lieutenant General Oscar Nyoni, commander since December 2023, the service stresses humanitarian work: in September 2025 it hosted the SADC Blue Lugwasho exercise, which flew maize to drought-hit districts from Livingstone, the town where it began in 1964. Accidents remain a cost of a busy training fleet: an SF-260 crash in March 2022 killed the Livingstone station commander.
The Zambian Air Force in numbers
Service
- Official name
- Zambia Air ForceThe service’s own spelling on airforce.mil.zm, abbreviated ZAF. The English Wikipedia article is titled "Zambian Air Force"
- Founded
- 1968The ZAF says it was established in 1968. Its lineage runs from the Northern Rhodesia Air Force of 1 March 1964, renamed the Zambia Air Wing at independence on 24 October 1964; Wikipedia dates the ZAF name to independence
- Part of
- Zambia Defence ForceCommander-in-Chief: President Hakainde Hichilema; Minister of Defence: Ambrose Lufuma (Wikipedia)
- Commander
- Lt Gen Oscar M A NyoniAppointed in late December 2023 in succession to Lt Gen Colin Barry
- Deputy commander
- Maj Gen Henry ChiwayaDeputy Air Force Commander and Chief of Air Staff
- Motto
- Defend and SupportPer Wikipedia; the ZAF website describes its strategic objective as "to defend and support the nation"
Strength
- Personnel
- No current figure was found on the ZAF site or in the sources checked
- Combat-capable jets
-
- L-15Z — 6
- K-8 — 15
No supersonic fighter since the MiG-21 was withdrawn in early 2009
- Trainers
-
- SF.260TW — 11
- Enstrom 480B helicopters — 2
Counts from FlightGlobal 2026 via Wikipedia; defenceWeb (2022) also listed MB-326GBs and MFI-15s
- Transport
-
- C-27J Spartan — 2
- Y-12 — 7
- MA60 — 1
- Cessna 208 — 2
- Beech 1900 — 1
FlightGlobal 2026 via Wikipedia
- Helicopters
-
- AB205 — about 12
- Bell 212/412 — 6–7
- Z-9 — 7
- Mi-171 — 5–6
Bell figures differ between defenceWeb (six identified) and FlightGlobal (seven)
- Drones
- Hermes 450 — 3The ZAF site mentions Hermes 450 and 900
Infrastructure
- Main bases
-
- Lusaka
- Livingstone
- Mbala
- Mumbwa
Wikipedia names Lusaka, Mbala and Mumbwa; defenceWeb names Livingstone Air Force Base
- Flying squadrons
- 8 listedNos. 1, 8, 11, 14, 21, 22, 33 and 43, according to Wikipedia’s table
- Ground-based air defence
-
- Rapier
- S-125
- ZU-23-2, ZPU-4 and M1939 guns
Per Wikipedia; serviceability not published
- Founding airfield
- LivingstoneThe Northern Rhodesia Air Force began there in 1964; it was the main operating base of Blue Lugwasho in 2025
How the Zambian Air Force is organised
The air arm of the Zambia Defence Force, headquartered in Lusaka, with eight flying squadrons listed by Wikipedia and no published basing for any of them. Zambia has had no supersonic fighter since its MiG-21s were withdrawn in early 2009: its combat jets are six L-15Z advanced trainers and 15 K-8s, and Wikipedia, citing IHS Jane’s, places the combat elements at Lusaka, Mbala and Mumbwa. Delivery of the last two of four Bell 412EPs granted by the United States has not been reported, and a further possible US helicopter sale was approved in January 2025.
Zambian Air Force
The air arm of the Zambia Defence Force, headquartered in Lusaka, with President Hakainde Hichilema as Commander-in-Chief. Lt Gen Oscar Nyoni replaced Lt Gen Colin Barry as commander in late December 2023, according to defenceWeb; his deputy and Chief of Air Staff is Maj Gen Henry Chiwaya. Wikipedia lists eight flying squadrons, Nos. 1, 8, 11, 14, 21, 22, 33 and 43; the ZAF does not publish where they are based.
No. 43 Squadron
Flies the six Hongdu L-15Z advanced trainers delivered in 2016 and 2017, ordered for about 100 million US dollars; Wikipedia describes a radar, PL-5 air-to-air missiles and a gun pod. They are the most capable combat aircraft Zambia has had since its MiG-21s were withdrawn in early 2009.
Nos. 8 and 21 Squadrons
Fifteen Hongdu K-8s, the ZAF’s main jet type, according to both defenceWeb and FlightGlobal; K-8s took part in the Blue Lugwasho exercise in September 2025. Wikipedia, citing IHS Jane’s, says the K-8s are understood to be at Lusaka, but which squadron is there is not published. Eleven SF-260TW basic trainers fly alongside them; one crashed near Livingstone on 28 March 2022, killing the station commander.
Nos. 1 and 22 Squadrons
No. 1 Squadron flies two C-27J Spartans and No. 22 Squadron seven Harbin Y-12s; an MA60, two Cessna 208 Caravans and a Beech 1900 complete the fleet. C-27Js, Y-12s and Caravans flew maize to drought-hit districts in the SADC Blue Lugwasho exercise of September 2025. Wikipedia says the transports are reportedly stationed at Lusaka.
Nos. 11 and 33 Squadrons
No. 11 Squadron flies five or six Mi-171s delivered from Russia in 2015–2017, and No. 33 Squadron Bell 212s and 412s, including two Bell 412EPs that arrived in March 2024, the first of four granted by the United States, and two Enstrom 480B training helicopters. About 12 AB205s and seven Z-9s are also listed, with no squadron given.
Ground-based air defence
Rapier and S-125 missiles, which arrived with the MiG-21s of the 1980s to give Zambia a ground-based air defence, and ZU-23-2, ZPU-4 and M1939 guns, according to Wikipedia; their serviceability is not published.
What the Zambian Air Force flies today
Every type on charge, linked to its Book of Beasts page where one exists. Counts are aircraft on the books, not aircraft available on a given day.
| Type | Role | In service | Since | Units | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hongdu L-15Z (JL-10)In service | Advanced trainer and light attack | 6 | 2016 | Six ordered in 2014 and delivered in 2016 and 2017; FlightGlobal 2026, as tabulated on Wikipedia, still lists six. | ||
| Hongdu K-8 Karakorum (K-8P)In service | Jet trainer and light attack | 15 | 15 according to both defenceWeb (2022) and the FlightGlobal-based table on Wikipedia. | |||
| SIAI-Marchetti SF.260TWIn service | Basic trainer and light attack | 11 | 2012 | 11–12. defenceWeb gave 12 SF-260TWs in 2022 (six delivered in 2012, six later), before or including the one lost on 28 March 2022; the FlightGlobal-based table on Wikipedia gives 11. | ||
| Leonardo (Alenia) C-27J SpartanIn service | Tactical transport | 2 | Two. | |||
| Harbin Y-12In service | Light transport | 7 | Seven according to the FlightGlobal-based table on Wikipedia. | |||
| Xian MA60In service | Transport | 1 | One. | |||
| Cessna 208 CaravanIn service | Utility transport | 2 | Two. | |||
| Beechcraft 1900In service | Utility transport | 1 | One. | |||
| Mil Mi-171Sh / Mi-171EIn service | Transport helicopter | 5 | 2015 | 5–6. defenceWeb counts about six delivered from Russia in 2015–2017; the FlightGlobal-based table on Wikipedia gives five. | ||
| Bell 412EP and Agusta-Bell 412SP, Bell 212In service | Utility helicopter | 6 | 2021 | 6–7. defenceWeb: three AB412SPs from Italy and South Africa (2021), one Bell 212 (June 2023) and two Bell 412EPs (March 2024); FlightGlobal 2026 via Wikipedia counts seven Bell 212/412s. | ||
| Agusta-Bell AB205In service | Utility helicopter | 12 | About 12 surviving (defenceWeb); 12 Bell 205s in the FlightGlobal-based table on Wikipedia. | |||
| Harbin Z-9In service | Light utility helicopter | 7 | Seven according to the FlightGlobal-based table on Wikipedia; not mentioned in the defenceWeb helicopter lists of 2023 and 2025. | |||
| Enstrom 480BIn service | Training helicopter | 2 | 2024 | Two, ordered in February 2023 and inducted in March 2024. | ||
| Elbit Hermes 450In service | Reconnaissance UAV | 3 | Three according to the FlightGlobal-based table on Wikipedia; the ZAF website mentions Hermes 450 and 900. |
On order
| Type | Ordered | First delivery | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bell 412EPOn order | 2 | 2024 | The remaining two of four granted by the United States in September 2023 (80 million US dollars with three years of support); the first two arrived in March 2024.
MoreDelivery of the other two was not reported in the sources checked. |
|
| Bell 412EPI (possible US sale)On order | The US approved a possible Foreign Military Sale worth up to 100 million dollars on 13 January 2025, to be paid from US Foreign Military Financing and Zambian funds.
MoreA signed contract and the number of aircraft were not confirmed in the sources checked. |
Every type the Zambian Air Force has retired
13 types, from the Douglas C-47 Dakota to the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21bis and MiG-21UM. Peak figures are airframes taken on charge over the whole service life, not fleet strength on any one date.
| Type | Role | Peak | Served | Replaced by | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21bis and MiG-21UM | Fighter | 18 | 1980–2009 | L-15Z (as the main combat type) | At least 16 MiG-21bis and two MiG-21UM trainers. | |
| Shenyang F-6 and FT-6 | Fighter | 12 | MiG-21 | 12 according to Wikipedia. | ||
| Shenyang FT-5 | Jet trainer | 12 | 12 according to Wikipedia. | |||
| Soko J-21 Jastreb | Light attack | |||||
| Soko G-2 Galeb | Jet trainer | |||||
| Aermacchi MB-326GB | Jet trainer and light attack | 10 | K-8 | defenceWeb still listed 10 in the trainer inventory in 2022; Wikipedia lists the type as retired. | ||
| Saab MFI-15 Safari / MFI-17 Supporter | Primary trainer | 10 | defenceWeb listed 10 MFI-15s in 2022; Wikipedia lists the type as retired. | |||
| Douglas C-47 Dakota | Transport | 4 | 1964– | Four with No. 1 Squadron in 1964. | ||
| Hunting Percival Pembroke | Light transport | 2 | 1964– | Two with No. 1 Squadron in 1964. | ||
| de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver | Liaison and reconnaissance | 6 | 1964– | Six with No. 2 Squadron in 1964. | ||
| de Havilland Canada DHC-4A Caribou | Tactical transport | |||||
| de Havilland Chipmunk | Primary trainer | |||||
| Bell 206 | Light helicopter |
Where the Zambian Air Force flies from
Black pins are active bases; none of the airfields listed has closed. The ZAF does not list its bases: its headquarters airfield is Lusaka City Airport, it began in 1964 at Livingstone, where it still keeps a station, and Wikipedia, citing IHS Jane’s, adds Mbala and Mumbwa. In April 2024 the cabinet approved handing Mbala and Southdowns near Kitwe to the air force; completion was not confirmed. Entries with no published aerodrome data carry no pin.
| Base | ICAO | Status | Runway | Units and aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Livingstone Air Force BaseHarry Mwaanga Nkumbula International AirportSouthern Province, Livingstone | FLHN | Active | 10/282,292 mpaved15/331,372 mpaved |
|
| Lusaka Air Force BaseLusaka City AirportLusaka Province | FLLC | Active | 08/262,010 m |
|
| Mbala AirportZambia Air ForceNorthern Province, Mbala | FLBA | Active | 12/302,500 m | |
| MumbwaZambia Air Force baseCentral Province, Mumbwa District | Active | |||
| Southdowns Airport, Kitwetransfer to the Zambia Air Force approvedCopperbelt Province, Kalulushi District near Kitwe | FLSO | Active | 11/292,015 m |
No air base matches that search.
Who is stationed where in the Zambian Air Force
Units by base, current units first. Zambia does not publish which squadron flies from which base, so only units named at a base in the sources are listed: the K-8s and the transports and helicopters that Wikipedia, citing IHS Jane’s, reports at Lusaka, and the station at Livingstone. The two founding squadrons of the Northern Rhodesia Air Force at Livingstone in 1964 are listed as former units.
- K-8 squadron (number not published for this base)Jet training and light attack · active
- Hongdu K-8 Karakorum
- Transport and utility helicopter squadronsTransport and helicopter squadrons · active
- Leonardo C-27J Spartan, Harbin Y-12, Cessna 208 Caravan, Mil Mi-171, Bell 212/412
- Zambia Air Force Livingstone StationAir force station · active
- SIAI-Marchetti SF-260TW
- No. 1 Squadron, Northern Rhodesia Air Force1964–
- Douglas C-47 Dakota (4), Hunting Percival Pembroke C.1 (2)
- No. 2 Squadron, Northern Rhodesia Air Force1964–
- de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver (6)
No unit matches that search.
Zambian Air Force milestones, 1914 to today
1 March: the Northern Rhodesia Air Force is formed at Livingstone with Dakotas, Pembrokes and Beavers. 24 October: independence; it becomes the Zambia Air Wing.
The Zambian Air Force is established, according to the ZAF’s own history.
Lt Gen Peter Zuze succeeds Group Captain Kilduff, commander since 1964.
19–21 October: Operation Gatling; Rhodesian aircraft bomb ZIPRA camps near Lusaka and warn Zambian fighters not to take off.
September: the Soviet Union begins delivering at least 16 MiG-21bis and two MiG-21UM.
About 12–13 MiG-21s go to Israel Aerospace Industries for overhaul; at least three are never returned.
Early in the year the MiG-21 fleet is withdrawn.
The first six SF-260TW trainers are delivered.
Zambia orders six Hongdu L-15Z advanced trainers. January: an MFI-17 crashes.
Mi-171 helicopters begin arriving from Russia (to 2017).
The L-15Z enters service and is shown at Africa Aerospace and Defence in South Africa.
Three Agusta-Bell 412SPs arrive from Italy and South Africa; Lt Gen Colin Barry succeeds Lt Gen David Muma.
28 March: an SF-260TW crashes near Livingstone, killing the station commander and a second lieutenant.
September: the US announces an 80 million dollar grant of four Bell 412EPs. December: Lt Gen Oscar Nyoni takes command.
March: two Bell 412EPs and two Enstrom 480Bs enter service. 22–26 April: the ZAF hosts the first Aviation Week Africa.
13 January: US approval of a possible Bell 412 sale. 9–26 September: Zambia hosts the SADC Blue Lugwasho drought-relief exercise.
Every war the Zambian Air Force has fought
Sorties and losses where the record gives them, and an honest blank where it does not.
- Rhodesian raids on Zambia 1978 None recorded in the air
Who built the Zambian Air Force fleet
Every company behind the aircraft on this page has its own page: the story, every type it built, the numbers and the other air forces that fly them.
Current fleet and orders
Bell, Agusta, Harbin, Hongdu, Beechcraft, Cessna, Elbit Systems, Enstrom, Leonardo, Mil, SIAI-Marchetti, Xi’an
Former fleet
SOKO, Shenyang, de Havilland Canada, Aermacchi, Douglas, Hunting Aircraft, Mikoyan, Saab, de Havilland
Everything people ask about the Zambian Air Force
What aircraft does the Zambia Air Force fly?
Is it the Zambia Air Force or the Zambian Air Force?
When was the Zambia Air Force founded?
Does Zambia have fighter jets?
Who commands the Zambia Air Force?
What was the "Green Leader" raid?
Did Zambia fly MiG-21s?
Why did the US give helicopters to Zambia?
Where are the Zambia Air Force bases?
Read the aircraft the Zambian Air Force flew
Every type with a page in the Book of Beasts, in service first, then by the year it left the fleet.
Every fact, checked
- Zambia Air Force: official websiteOfficial name "Zambia Air Force (ZAF)"; commander Lt Gen Oscar M A Nyoni; deputy commander and Chief of Air Staff Maj Gen Henry Chiwaya; roles; aircraft pictured; news of the US Bell 412EP grant.
- Zambia Air Force: About usOfficial history: Northern Rhodesian Air Wing; Northern Rhodesia Air Force from 1 March 1964 at Livingstone with Dakotas, Pembrokes and Beavers; Zambia Air Wing after independence; "in 1968 the Zambian Air Force was established"; vision and values.
- Zambia Air Force: CommandersOfficial list of commanders from Group Captain Kilduff (1964–1972) to Lt Gen Colin Barry (2021–2023) and Lt Gen Oscar Nyoni.
- Aviation International News: China’s L-15 jet displayed by Zambia in South Africa (16 September 2016)Zambian L-15Z shown at Africa Aerospace and Defence 2016 with Chinese weapons, described as an advanced trainer and light attack aircraft.
- defenceWeb: articles tagged Zambia Air ForceHeadlines and dates, including Enstrom 480B order (20 April 2023), helicopter crash (17 September 2015) and MFI-17 crash (20 January 2014).
- defenceWeb: Two dead in Zambian SF-260 crash (29 March 2022)SF-260TW AF-545 crashed near Livingstone on 28 March 2022, killing the Livingstone station commander and a second lieutenant; trainer inventory.
- defenceWeb: US donating helicopters to the Zambia Air Force (15 September 2023)AFRICOM’s Gen Michael Langley announced an 80 million US dollar grant for four Bell 412EPs with three years of support; helicopter fleet.
- defenceWeb: Zambia Air Force to host first ever Aviation Week Africa event (13 March 2024)Aviation Week Africa, 22–26 April 2024; Lt Gen Colin Barry replaced by Lt Gen Oscar M Nyoni in late December 2023.
- defenceWeb: Zambia aiming to buy more Bell 412 helicopters (14 January 2025)US approval of a possible 100 million dollar sale on 13 January 2025; two grant Bell 412EPs delivered in March 2024; helicopter fleet details.
- defenceWeb: Six SADC air forces bolster Ex Blue Lugwasho with aircraft contributions (19 September 2025)SADC drought-relief exercise hosted by Zambia, 9–26 September 2025, main operating base Livingstone Air Force Base; ZAF aircraft involved.
- defenceWeb: South African and Zambian air forces cement ties (21 November 2025)Lt Gen Oscar Nyoni’s visit to the SAAF, 17–21 November 2025; training exchanges; ZAF’s Ndeke Agriculture Company.
- defenceWeb: Zambia (African militaries profile, Armand Liebenberg, 7 January 2026, updated 28 May 2026)Air force headquarters in Lusaka; squadron structure by aircraft type (L-15, two K-8 squadrons, a training squadron, two transport squadrons, a government unit, two helicopter squadrons), without bases.
- Zambia Monitor: Cabinet announces transfer of Southdowns, Mbala airports to Zambia Air Force (14 April 2024)Cited as summarised by Wikipedia (archived 8 May 2024); the live link returned 404 on 1 October 2026 and the article itself was not read.
Figures verified 2026-10-01. Order of Battle pages are regenerated from a single dataset; if a number here disagrees with a Book of Beasts page, this page is the more recent of the two.
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