Botswana Defence Force Air Wing

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Botswana Defence Force Air Wing


caption= Ensign of the Botswana Defence Force Air Wing
dates= 1977 - present
country= Flag|Botswana
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command_structure=Botswana Defence Force
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identification_symbol_label=Roundel
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The Botswana Defence Force Air Wing is the air arm of the Botswana Defence Force.

Overview

The Air Wing was formed in 1977 and is organisationally part of the Botswana Defence Force.

All squadrons are designated with a Z, which has no meaning but is used as a designation for "squadron". The main base is Molepolole and was built mostly by foreign contractors between 1992 and 1996. Other bases used are Sir Seretse Khama International Airport at Gaborone and Francistown.

The backbone of the Air Wing is formed by ex Canadian CF-116s which are locally designated as CF-5s. Thirteen ex-Canadian CF-116s (ten single-seater CF-5As and three trainer CF-5Bs) were ordered in 1996 to replace the Strikemasters, with another three single-seaters and two dual-seaters delivered in 2000. For transport the Air Wing uses BN-2A/B, C212, CN235 and C-130Bs. Latest addition to the transport fleet was an ex-AMARC C-130B to complement the two existing aircraft.

In 2000, three additional AS350BA helicopters were bought for Z21, bringing the total to eight. The single Italian built AB412 has been replaced by a Bell 412EP in VIP-configuration. Z21 has a total of six Bell 412s of which the Bell412EP is being used by the VIP flight. Flying training is done on seven PC-7s. The VIP flight uses, besides the Bell 412, a Gulfstream and a Be 200. In 1993 nine ex US Army/AMARC O-2As were delivered for use against poaching.

Botswana is also believed to operate Silver Arrow [http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2001/03/20/127601/botswana-builds-uav-surveillance-force.html] and Elbit Hermes 450 UAVs. [http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/06/05/214395/singapore-seals-deal-for-hermes-450-uavs.html]

Aircraft inventory [ [http://www.milaviapress.com/orbat/botswana/index.php Botswanan military aviation OrBat] ]

! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service"World Military Aircraft Inventory", Aerospace Source Book 2007, "Aviation Week & Space Technology", January 15 2007.] ! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
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Beechcraft Super King Air
USA
staff transport
Super King Air 200
1

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Bell 412
USA
utility helicopter
VIP helicopter
412
412EP
4
1

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Britten-Norman Islander
UK
transport
BN-2A
BN-2A-3
8
2

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Canadair CF-5 Freedom Fighter
CAN
fighter
advanced trainer
CF-5A
CF-5D
9
5

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CASA C-212 Aviocar
ESP
transport
C-212-300
2

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CASA CN-235
ESP
IDN
transport
CN-235
2

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Cessna O-2 Skymaster
USA
liaison
O-2
5

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Eurocopter AS 350 Ecureuil
FRA
GER
ESP
utility helicopter
AS 350B
9

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Gulfstream IV
USA
VIP transport
G-IV
1

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Lockheed C-130 Hercules
USA
transport
C-130B
3

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Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer
SUI
trainer
PC-7
6

Aircraft withdrawn since 2001 include:
*Shorts SC.7 Skyvan 3M transport - 2
*BAe 125-800 VIP transport - 1
*Cessna 152 trainer - 2

References

[http://www.iss.co.za/AF/profiles/Botswana/SecInfo.html ISS]

References