Zambian Army Explained

Unit Name:	Zambian Army
Country:	Zambia
Type:	Land force
Role:	Ground warfare
Command Structure:	Zambian Defence Force
Garrison:	Lusaka
Garrison Label:	Headquarters

The Zambian Army is the land military branch of the Zambian Defence Force. Like all branches of the Zambian military, citizens of the nation are required to register at 16 years old, and citizens can join at 16 years old with parental consent or at 18 years old when they are classified as adults by Zambia. There is currently no conscription. (There was a Zambia National Defence Force conscription from 1975 to 1980.) Applicants must be Zambian citizens and must have a school Grade 12 certification. Applicants must also undergo a test for HIV on enlistment. Personnel can serve until age 55, when there is a mandatory retirement. Its first Commander Major General was Michael Grigg, appointed by Kenneth Kaunda. The first local Commander was Gen Kingsley Chinkuli. According to the 2014 CIA World Factbook:

• There are 3,041,069 men between 16-49 who are classified as manpower (this does not mean that all of them are fit for duty), and 2,948,291 women between 16–49 who are classified as manpower. This makes a total of 5,989,360 people classified as manpower.
• There are 1,745,656 men who are classified as fit for military service between the ages of 16–49. There are 1,688,670 women who are classified as fit for military service between the ages of 16–49. Therefore, Zambia has 3,434,326 people fit for military service between the ages of 16–49.
• 1.55% of the GDP of Zambia is spent on the military, ranked 70th in the world.^[1]

Organisation

The current Army organisation is as follows:^{[2] [3]}

Three infantry brigades:

• 1 Brigade (Lusaka)
• 2 Brigade (Kabwe)
• 3 Brigade (Ndola)

With the following units:

• 64th Armoured Tank Regiment (tank).
• 17th Cavalry Regiment (armoured reconnaissance)
• 10th Medium Artillery Regiment
  • 2 Artillery Battalions
  • Multiple Rocket Launchers Battalion
• 1 Engineer Regiment, Mufulira
• 6 Construction Regiment
• Mechanised battalion
• Zambia Regiment (raised in 1964 from the Northern Rhodesia Regiment)
  • Light Infantry
    • 1st Battalion
    • 2nd Battalion
    • 3rd Battalion
    • 4th Battalion
    • 5th Battalion
    • 6th Battalion
  • Reserve Infantry
    • 7th Battalion
    • 8th Battalion
    • 9th Battalion
• 1 Commando Battalion
• 48th Marine Unit
• Specialist schools

Equipment

Small arms

width=16%	Name	width=10%	Image	width=15%	Caliber	width=12%	Type	width=10%	Origin	width=28%	Notes
Pistols
TT-33^[4]		7.62×25mm	Semi-automatic pistol
Makarov PM^[5]		9×18mm	Semi-automatic pistol
Stechkin APS^[6]		9×18mm	Semi-automatic pistol
Browning Hi-Power^[7]		9×19mm	Semi-automatic pistol
Sub-machine guns
Sterling^[8]		9×19mm	Submachine gun
Sten^[9]		9×19mm	Submachine gun
Heckler & Koch MP5		9×19mm	Submachine gun
Rifles
FN FAL^[10]		7.62×51mm	Battle rifle
Heckler & Koch G3^[11]		7.62×51mm	Battle rifle
Zastava M59/66^[12]		7.62×39mm	Semi-automatic rifle
AKM^[13]		7.62×39mm	Assault rifle
AK-74^[14]		5.45×39mm	Assault rifle
AK-63		7.62×39mm	Assault rifle
IWI Galil ACE^[15]		5.56×45mm	Assault rifle Carbine
IWI Tavor^[16]		5.56×45mm	Bullpup Assault rifle
Machine guns
DShK^[17]		12.7×108mm	Heavy machine gun
SG-43^[18]		7.62×54mmR	Medium machine gun
RP-46^[19]		7.62×54mmR	Light machine gun
RPK^[20]		7.62×39mm	Squad automatic weapon
PKM^[21]		7.62×54mmR	General-purpose machine gun
KPV^[22]		14.5×114mm	Heavy machine gun
Type 67^[23]				General-purpose machine gun
FN MAG^[24]				General-purpose machine gun
Browning M1919^[25]				Medium machine gun
Grenade launchers
RPG-2^[26]		40mm	Rocket-propelled grenade
RPG-7^[27]		40mm	Rocket-propelled grenade

Tanks

width=14%	Name	width=20%	Image	width=14%	Type	width=12%	Origin	width=10%	Quantity	width=06%	Status	width=24%	Notes
T-55		Medium tank		25^[28]	INS	Deliveries in 1976 and 1981.
PT-76		Amphibious Light tank		30^[29]	INS
Type 59		Main battle tank		20^[30]	INS

Armored vehicles

width=14%	Name	width=20%	Image	width=14%	Type	width=12%	Origin	width=10%	Quantity	width=06%	Status	width=24%	Notes
BTR-60		Armoured personnel carrier		13^[31]	INS
BTR-70				20^[32]	INS
BTR-80		Armoured personnel carrier		20^[33]	INS
BRDM-1		Amphibious armored scout car		44	INS	Acquired in 1980.^[34]
BRDM-2		Amphibious armored scout car		44	INS	Acquired in 1981.^[35]
GAZ Tigr				35^[36]	INS	GAZ-233014
WZ551				20	INS	6X6 WZ551B variant.^[37]
Ratel				14^[38]	INS
Buffel				1^[39]	INS	Rhino variant.
Saymar Musketeer		Armored car			INS	^[40]

Anti-tank weapons

width=16%	Name	width=21%	Image	width=15%	Type	width=12%	Origin	width=10%	Caliber	width=26%	Notes
Carl Gustav M4^[41]		Recoilless rifle		84mm
M18^[42]		Recoilless rifle		57mm
M20^[43]		Recoilless rifle		75mm
9M14 Malyutka^[44]		Anti-tank missile		75mm

Artillery

width=14%	Name	width=20%	Image	width=14%	Type	width=12%	Origin	width=10%	Quantity	width=06%	Status	width=24%	Notes
Self-propelled artillery
ATMOS 2000		Self-propelled		6	INS	Mounted on a Czech 6×6 Tatra 10-tonne chassis.
Elbit Spear MK2		Self-propelled mortar		6	INS	Mounted on an Indian Tata Trucks LPTA 713TC 4×4 chassis.
Rocket artillery
BM-21 Grad		Multiple rocket launcher		50	INS
Field artillery
Type 59		Towed field gun		18^[45]	INS
D-30		Howitzer		24^[46]	INS
Mod.56		Howitzer		18^[47]	INS

Air defence systems

width=14%	Name	width=20%	Image	width=14%	Type	width=12%	Origin	width=10%	Quantity	width=06%	Status	width=24%	Notes
KS-12		Anti-aircraft gun		16	INS
61-K		Autocannon		40	INS
Zastava M55		Autocannon		50	INS

Unmanned aerial vehicles

width=14%	Name	width=20%	Image	width=14%	Type	width=12%	Origin	width=10%	In service	width=24%	Notes
Elbit Skylark		Miniature UAV		2^[48]

References

Works cited

• Book: The Military Balance 2016 . February 2016 . 116 . 978-1-85743-835-2 . Routlegde . . International Institute for Strategic Studies . International Institute for Strategic Studies.
• Book: Richard D. . Jones . Leland S. . Ness . Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010 . 2009 . 35th . Jane's Information Group . Coulsdon . 978-0-7106-2869-5.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Zambia Military 2020, CIA World Factbook.
2. Web site: Zambia Defence Force. 8 October 2014.
3. Lungu H. & Ngoma, N. (2005) The Zambian military—trials, tribulations and hope. In: Rupiya, M. (ed.) Evolutions and Revolutions: A Contemporary History of Militaries in Southern Africa. Institute for Security Studies, Pretoria: 331-329.
4. Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). .
5. Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). .
6. Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). .
7. Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). .
8. Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). .
9. Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). .
10. Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). .
11. Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). .
12. Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). .
13. Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). .
14. Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). .
15. Web site: Zambian military parades new equipment . 2021-05-22 . 2021-08-28 . Janes.
16. Web site: Zambian military parades new equipment . 2021-05-22 . 2021-08-28 . Janes.
17. Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). .
18. Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). .
19. Web site: Zambia Watchdog . Zambia dented, instability to continue up to 2021 – Economist Group . Zambia Watchdog . 2017-06-09 . 2017-06-15.
20. Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). .
21. Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). .
22. Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). .
23. Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). .
24. Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). .
25. Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). .
26. Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). .
27. Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). .
28. Web site: Arms Trade Register. SIPRI. 22 June 2012.
29. Web site: Arms Trade Register. SIPRI. 22 June 2012.
30. [International Institute for Strategic Studies]
31. Web site: Arms Trade Register. SIPRI. 22 June 2012.
32. Web site: Arms Trade Register. SIPRI. 22 June 2012.
33. Web site: Analysis: Zambia Defence Forces unveil new armored vehicles and military equipment weapons defence industry military technology UK analysis focus army defence military industry army. 2021-07-01. www.armyrecognition.com.
34. Web site: Arms Trade Register. SIPRI. 22 June 2012.
35. Web site: Arms Trade Register. SIPRI. 22 June 2012.
36. Web site: The head of the military-industrial complex Alexander Krasovitsky: Russia delivered 35 armored vehicles "Tiger" to Zambia . 2021-08-27 . 2021-08-28 . ЦАМТО / Centre for Analysis of World Arms Trade.
37. Web site: Arms Trade Register. SIPRI. 22 June 2012.
38. http://www.bdlive.co.za/national/2013/11/05/sa-ratels-in-libya-spur-da-to-call-for-investigation SA Ratels in Libya spur DA to call for investigation
39. Web site: Arms Trade Register. SIPRI. 22 June 2012.
40. Web site: Zambia showcases new military hardware during military parade . 2021-05-22 . 2021-08-29 . defenceWeb.
41. Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). .
42. Jones, Richard D. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (January 27, 2009). .
43. Book: Terry J.. Gander. Charles Q. . Cutshaw. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2001/2002 . 2001 . 27th . Jane's Information Group . Coulsdon . 9780710623171.
44. International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). International Institute for Strategic Studies. The Military Balance 2018. The Military Balance. 118. Routledge. 14 February 2018. en.
45. Web site: Arms Trade Register. SIPRI. 22 June 2012.
46. Web site: Arms Trade Register. SIPRI. 22 June 2012.
47. Book: International Institute for Strategic Studies . International Institute for Strategic Studies . 2018 . The Military Balance . 495. 978-1857439557.
48. Web site: Zambian military parades new equipment . 2021-05-22 . 2021-08-28 . Janes.