Namibian Air Force

The Namibia Air Force was commissioned on 13 March 2005 at Grootfontein Air Base. The policy, mission statements and concept of operations envisage the development of an Air Force to operate in support of the Army and the Navy. Five separate roles for Air Force are; surveillance, transport of personnel and transport of supplies/equipment; support to the civil authorities or civil community, and training.

With Grootfontein as the main air base, expansion projects are underway to expand the Keetmanshoop air base, as well as construct a new base at Karibib. This was reported by The Namibian on 20 June 2008.

The policy for the Air Force is to acquire dedicated air assets to undertake the surveillance and transport tasks. The MOD and NDF will train and employ their own pilots and technicians. Co-operation and co-ordination with other Ministries may extend to making such assets available for non-defence tasking. In addition, consideration will be given to arrangements whereby private and other national air assets could be employed where appropriate or necessary.

Aircraft Inventory

Following the independence of Namibia from South Africa in 1991, the Air defence wing of the defence forces were established in 1993-1994. 12 Chengdu F-7 Airguard jets were delivered in 2006 and 2008.

Retired aircraft

 * Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23

Air Force Bases

 * Grootfontein Air Force Base, Grootfontein
 * Keetmanshoop Air Force Base, Keetmanshoop
 * Karibib Air Force Base, Karibib (under consctruction)

Expansion of the Air Force base at Keetmanshoop is planned.

Squadrons
The fighter squadron is the 23rd Namibian Squadron.The 23rd Squadron is the primary air defence unit of the Air Force as it is equipped with the Chengdu F-7 Airguard.The helicopter squadron is the 151st Namibian squadron ..

Commissioned officers
The highest rank a commissioned officer can attain in the Air Force during peacetime is Air Vice Marshal. The highest rank in peace time a commissioned officer can attain in the navy is Air Vice Marshal. There may however be an exception when an Air Force officer is appointed as Chief of the Defence Force for which the individual which ascend to the rank of Air Marshal.


 * Air Chief Marshal
 * Air Marshal
 * Air Vice Marshal
 * Air Commodore
 * Group Captain
 * Wing Commander
 * Squadron Leader
 * Flight Lieutenant
 * Flying Officer
 * Pilot Officer

Non-commissioned officers/Other ranks
The highest rank an enlisted member can attain is Warrant Officer Class 1.
 * Warrant Officer Class 1
 * Warrant Officer Class 2
 * Flight Sergeant
 * Sergeant
 * Corporal
 * Leading Aircraftman/Woman
 * Aircraftman/Woman