Online Reporter
Columbus Mabika
Herald Reporter
The Air Force of Zimbabwe, together with sister security services, remains resolute in its constitutional mandate of ensuring that peace and security prevail for the attainment of national goals and aspirations, service Commander Air Marshal John Jacob Nzvede has said.
He made the remarks on Thursday in an interview ahead of the 46th Defence Forces anniversary.
The remarks come as the Second Republic, in pursuit of development, has set the nation on a course towards an empowered upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
Security, he said, remains an important element for the attainment of national goals.
“One of the pillars that support development is national security, and this is why development and national security are referred to as twin imperatives that form the core foundation for sustainable development,” he said.
“The mandated roles of the Air Force of Zimbabwe respond to all threats to national security, and the National Development Strategy 2 identifies the need for security for the attainment of goals,” he said.
The security situation, he said, has evolved to integrate traditional defence with non-military and human security threats.
Air Marshal Nzvede said natural and climate-induced disasters in contemporary times were also a threat to national development, and the AFZ is prepared for any eventuality in this regard.
“Air power has the unique capabilities which are critical in disaster management and mitigation,” he said.
“We are a major player in these efforts as we have conducted search and rescue operations that have saved many lives after incidences of flooding.”
Conflicts and disasters, Air Marshal Nzvede said, occur without forewarning; the AFZ strives to maintain a high state of readiness through training and retraining of its human resource base.
On social development and social protection, he said the AFZ has established a Charity Fund to mobilise resources and coordinate efforts to assist disadvantaged communities across the country.
The fund has prioritised the development of infrastructure in the education and health sectors.
Technological developments have continued to shape the conduct of military operations, and in particular, air forces.
“In this Information age, one distinguishing feature is the widespread use of the internet and associated technologies,” he said.
The aviation and aerospace industries are renowned for operating with cutting-edge technology; hence, the AFZ cannot afford to lag behind.
He said, guided by the Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, General Emmanuel Matatu, AFZ research and development is seized with the task of developing its own technologies to reduce dependence on external suppliers.
In line with the modernisation trajectory under the recapitalisation plan, he said, the AFZ has taken delivery of new assets and equipment in recent times.
