The Mozambican Air Force is set to get eight refurbished MiG aircraft from Aerostar, a Romanian company, along with an overhauled Aero Vodochody L-39ZO jet trainer. This will give back the Mozambican Air Force a jet capability it had long lost.
Reports continue to swirl online that the Zambian Air Force has signed a deal for six L-15 Falcon jet trainers made by Hongdu Aviation Industry of China. These come hot after the delivery of 16 K-8 Karakorum jet trainers and seven Z-9 attack helicopter gunships, both made in China.
The discussion between Botswana and South Korea for the acquisition of new aircraft are at a very advanced stage. The Botswana Air Force is set to place an order for 16 T-50 advanced jet trainers and the FA-50 Golden Eagle fighter aircraft. The FA-50, built jointly by Korea Aerospace Industries (KIA) and United States aerospace giant Lockheed Martin, is largely derived from the F-16 Fighting Falcon and they have many similarities.
Perhaps the most significant order for new military aircraft was signed by South Africa, which took delivery of 28 Saab JAS-39 Gripen fighters from Sweden, 24 BAe Hawk-120 fighter trainers from Britain and a whopping 30 Augusta A-109 helicopters from Italy. With an order of this magnitude, the South African Air Force elevated itself to become, arguably, one of the best air forces in Africa.
With no imminent aerial threat from any quarter at the moment, Zimbabwe still has the luxury of waiting until she checks out the capabilities of the aircraft to be delivered to Mumbwa, Grootfortein, Thebephatswa and Nampula, together with what is already available at Makhado Air Force bases. Then, perhaps, we will go, obviously east, to shop for a multi-role combat aircraft that will be able to defend our airspace against an enemy of any size and shape, in any weather, day or night. May our wings continue to be our fortress. – Cassius Sande, Harare
Post published in: Letters to the Editor
Interesting observation and summation Cassius Sande. We are seeing a mini arms race in the region. Angola has beefed up as well with a full strength squadron of Su-27, several choppers and tanks. The peace that seemed to be settling in sub-Saharan Africa is being eroded away with the wars in East Africa that are threatening to spread south. The discovery of gas and oil is part to blame with everyone thinking they can dispose off governments and get access to these resources.
The Sudans, Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique, Namibia all have newly found oil or gas. Notice Namibia strengthening its navy too as the hydrocarbons are at sea. Explorations are underway in Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia. Just the suspicions and hopes of finding the wealth underground is re-igniting boarder disputes and outside interference on the outcome. Note that a UK company was granted rights on Lake Malawi … … now you have UK charities , officials and law firms supporting the Malawian view.
The Chinese (sometimes Russians and Indians) have come in strong in the continent making investments. The traditional investors on the continent see their tuff being taken and threatened.
The “Arab Spring†has been noticed and security apparatus in the various African countries have taken note and are reacting or being pro-active and being prepared. Note how Syria has survived (so far) the onslaught though badly battered.
In the medium term, some countries will ignore these development (re-arming in the region) but in the longer term, they will be forced to react. It is important to focus on development but at some point, that development needs security. The ages old debate (balance/imbalance) of “bread vs butterâ€. Someone said, “”To amass military power without regard to our economic capacity would be to defend ourselves against one kind of disaster by inviting another.”Clearly each expenditure of limited resources requires trade-offs.