Zimbabwe Defence Forces
Introduction
The Zimbabwe military is one of the best in Africa with excellent
training, vast operational experience and doctrines drawing from
both the East and Western blocks. As an organization the ZDF has
experience from the country’s civil war in the 60s and 70s that led
to independence, through the Mozambican civil war in the 80s,
“cooperating” with Angola during the South African inversion also
in the 80s and UNITA banditry to the two DRC wars in the 90s and
beyond. In all these conflicts the ZDF has been or been part of the
victorious side. While other allies like Angola and Namibia
contributed significant men and equipment, the overall command of
the forces was entrusted to the ZDF.
The ZDF exploits during the second DRC war does not get much
attention because the Zimbabwean involvement and achievements
upset global powers. On the other hand, the ZDF professionalism
in the many UN sponsored peace keeping operations has been
noted. The request by the South African government to have Air
Force of Zimbabwe instructors help in modernizing the SAAF is a
very positive testimonial for the Zimbabweans.
ZDF - Organization
The Zimbabwe Defense Forces (ZDF) are under the command of
the President, who is the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the
Defense Forces. He is assisted by the Minister of defense who is
responsible for the administrative and logistical support of the
defense force, and the Command of the Defense Forces, who
maintains operational control through the Defense Forces
Headquarters in Harare. Subordinate to the Defense Force
Headquarters are the Commander, Zimbabwe National Army
(ZNA), and Commander, Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ).
Commander, Land Forces is assisted at Army Headquarters by a
chief of staff to whom the Army Staff is subordinate. The Staff
consists of the chiefs of staff for operations, administration,
procurement, and logistics.
The Zimbabwe military is one of the best in Africa with excellent
training, vast operational experience and doctrines drawing from
both the East and Western blocks. As an organization the ZDF has
experience from the country’s civil war in the 60s and 70s that led
to independence, through the Mozambican civil war in the 80s,
“cooperating” with Angola during the South African inversion also
in the 80s and UNITA banditry to the two DRC wars in the 90s and
beyond. In all these conflicts the ZDF has been or been part of the
victorious side. While other allies like Angola and Namibia
contributed significant men and equipment, the overall command of
the forces was entrusted to the ZDF.
The ZDF exploits during the second DRC war does not get much
attention because the Zimbabwean involvement and achievements
upset global powers. On the other hand, the ZDF professionalism
in the many UN sponsored peace keeping operations has been
noted. The request by the South African government to have Air
Force of Zimbabwe instructors help in modernizing the SAAF is a
very positive testimonial for the Zimbabweans.
ZDF - Organization
The Zimbabwe Defense Forces (ZDF) are under the command of
the President, who is the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the
Defense Forces. He is assisted by the Minister of defense who is
responsible for the administrative and logistical support of the
defense force, and the Command of the Defense Forces, who
maintains operational control through the Defense Forces
Headquarters in Harare. Subordinate to the Defense Force
Headquarters are the Commander, Zimbabwe National Army
(ZNA), and Commander, Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ).
Commander, Land Forces is assisted at Army Headquarters by a
chief of staff to whom the Army Staff is subordinate. The Staff
consists of the chiefs of staff for operations, administration,
procurement, and logistics.
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| ARMY |
| AIR FORCE |
