# Air Arm Command (Botswana)

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Air warfare branch of Botswana's military forces

Air Arm Command Emblem of the Botswana Defence Force Founded 1960; 66 years ago (1960) Country Botswana Type Air force Role Aerial warfare Size 500 personnel[1] Part of Botswana Defence Force Headquarters Gaborone Commanders Commander-in-Chief President Duma Boko Insignia Roundel Fin flash Aircraft flown Fighter Canadair CF-5 Helicopter Bell 412SP, AS 350 Ecureuil Reconnaissance Elbit Hermes 450, IAI Silver Arrow 180 Trainer Pilatus PC-7 Mk II Transport C-130 Hercules, Beechcraft Super King Air, Britten-Norman Defender, CASA C-212 Aviocar, CASA CN-235, Cessna O-2 Skymaster, Bombardier Global Express

Military unit

The **Air Arm Command** is the [air force](/source/Air_force) of the [Botswana Defence Force](/source/Botswana_Defence_Force). The Air Arm was formed in 1977 and squadrons are designated with a Z, meaning "squadron".

## History

The Air Arm Command was formed in 1977 and is part of the [Botswana Defence Force](/source/Botswana_Defence_Force).[2] All [squadrons](/source/Squadron_(aviation)) are designated with a Z, which stands for "squadron".[3] The main base is near [Molepolole](/source/Molepolole) and was built by mostly foreign contractors between 1992 and 1996.[4] Other airports used are [Sir Seretse Khama International Airport](/source/Sir_Seretse_Khama_International_Airport) and [Francistown International Airport](/source/Francistown_International_Airport).[4]

The backbone of the AAC is a squadron of former Canadian [Canadair CF-116s](/source/Canadair_CF-5), locally designated as BF-5s. These fighter jets were ordered in 1996 to replace the [BAC Strikemaster](/source/BAC_Strikemaster), with another three single-seaters and two dual-seaters being delivered in 2000.[Note 1] The aircraft were re-designated OJ-1 through 16. For transport, the AAC uses [Britten-Norman Defenders](/source/Britten-Norman_Defender), [CASA C-212 Aviocars](/source/CASA_C-212_Aviocar), [CASA CN-235s](/source/CASA_CN-235) and [Lockheed C-130B Hercules](/source/Lockheed_C-130_Hercules). The latest addition to the transport fleet was a former [United States Air Force](/source/United_States_Air_Force) C-130H Hercules to complement the two existing aircraft.[5]

A combination of Bell 412EP and 412SP helicopters are operated by Z21 and perform a variety of functions; search and rescue, medivac, anti-poaching and troop/VIP transport. In 1993, nine ex-[US Army](/source/United_States_Army)/AMARC [Cessna O-2](/source/Cessna_O-2_Skymaster)As were delivered for use against poaching.

In 2011, [Pilatus Aircraft Ltd](/source/Pilatus_Aircraft) announced that the AAC had selected the [PC-7](/source/Pilatus_PC-7) MkII turboprop trainer aircraft to replace their [Pilatus PC-7](/source/Pilatus_PC-7) fleet which has been in service since 1990. The contract value is approximately 40 million Swiss francs to procure a fleet of five PC-7 MkII turboprop trainer aircraft, with ground-based training system including computer-based training, spares, support equipment, as well as pilot and technician conversion training elements. The contract was signed in Gaborone on 13 April 2011.[6]

Botswana is also believed to operate [Elbit Systems](/source/Elbit_Systems) Silver Arrow[7] and [Elbit Hermes 450](/source/Elbit_Hermes_450) UAVs.[8]

### Paul Morris money laundering case

Paul Morris, whom had a major role in the AAC, had made the decision to buy 10 [Bell 412EP](/source/Bell_412) helicopters, however the funds were used in a money laundering case, being the largest in Botswana history. Paul Morris would later be sentenced to the [death penalty](/source/Death_penalty) in 1998, and was executed in 1999.

## Accidents and incidents

- On 20 October 2011, two PC-7s of the AAC were involved in a midair collision over Letlhakeng 100 km west of Gaborone. Two of the four aircrew involved were killed in the accident.[9]

- On 27 June 2014, The Botswana Defence Force Air Arm lost a [Eurocopter AS350 Ecureuil](/source/Eurocopter_AS350_%C3%89cureuil) helicopter which crashed during a routine training at Thebephatshwa Air Base. Two pilots who were on board the aircraft, were taken to hospital in a stable condition.[10]

- On 9 February 2017, a BDF CASA C-212 crashed near Thebephatshwa village minutes after leaving the Thebephatshwa Air Base, killing all three people on board. The aircraft was on its way to the capital, [Gaborone](/source/Gaborone), which is 90 km away.[11]

- On 27 April 2018, a day before BDF Day, a BF-5 fighter aircraft crashed at the Gaborone Golf Club during aerobatic rehearsals. The pilot was the only recorded casualty.[12]

## Organization

Two [C-130s](/source/Lockheed_C-130_Hercules) operated by the AAC.

- Z1 Transport Squadron – [Maparangwane Air Base](/source/Thebephatshwa_Airport) (Thebephatshwa/Molepolole)

- Z3 Transport (Liaison) Squadron – O-2A, Bat Hawk – [Francistown Airport](/source/Francistown_Airport)

- Z7 Training Squadron – PC-7MkII, [King Air 200](/source/Beechcraft_Super_King_Air) – [Maparangwane Air Base](/source/Thebephatshwa_Airport) (Thebephatshwa/Molepolole)

- Z10 Transport Squadron – C-130, C-212 and CN-235 – [Maparangwane Air Base](/source/Thebephatshwa_Airport) (Thebephatshwa/Molepolole)

- Z12 Transport Squadron – [Francistown Airport](/source/Francistown_Airport)

- Z21 Transport/Helicopter Squadron – Bell 412 – [Maparangwane Air Base](/source/Thebephatshwa_Airport) (Thebephatshwa/Molepolole)

- Z23 Transport/Helicopter Squadron – AS-350 – [Maparangwane Air Base](/source/Thebephatshwa_Airport) (Thebephatshwa/Molepolole)

- Z28 Fighter Squadron – CF-5 – [Maparangwane Air Base](/source/Thebephatshwa_Airport) (Thebephatshwa/Molepolole)

- VIP Flight Squadron – G-IV – [Sir Seretse Khama International Airport](/source/Sir_Seretse_Khama_International_Airport)

### Air bases

[Maparangwane Air Base](/source/Thebephatshwa_Airport) is the only full air base in Botswana. Sir Seretse Khama International Airport is a civilian airport that hosts the VIP jets and Francistown Airport is a joint civilian/military airfield with ownership by the BDF since 2011.[13]

### Air defence command and control system

In 2005 Botswana Defence Force (BDF) awarded the Spanish company Indra a €7.1 million contract for the development and implementation of a full air defence command and control system. The project included the development and implementation of an operational control centre, composed of a total of nine air traffic tracking and control posts to process and concentrate the information regarding the country's air space being provided by air surveillance radars, radio communication links with the airships, and air traffic management civil systems.[14][15]

## Aircraft

### Current inventory

A Botswana Defence Force CF-5 on display

A BDF Bell 412 in 2019.

Dornier Do-328-110 OB2 Botswana Defence Force

Aircraft Origin Type Variant In service Notes Combat aircraft Canadair CF-5 Canada Fighter CF-5A 10[16] Improved license-built variant of the Northrop F-5 Transport Lockheed C-130 Hercules United States Transport C-130B/H 4[16][17] CASA C212 Spain Transport 3[16] STOL capable aircraft CASA/IPTN CN-235 Indonesia / Spain Transport 2[16] Beechcraft Super King Air United States Transport 200 1[16] Britten-Norman BN-2 United Kingdom Utility 1[16] Dornier 328 Germany Transport 1[citation needed] Bombardier Global Express Canada VIP transport Global 5000 1[citation needed] Helicopters Bell 412 United States Utility 6[16] Eurocopter AS350 France Liaison / Utility 10[16] AW 189 Italy Utility 1 on order.[16] Trainer aircraft Canadair CF-5 Canada Conversion trainer CF-5D[18] 5[16] Improved license-built variant of the Northrop F-5 Pilatus PC-7 Switzerland Trainer Mk II 5[16]

### Retired aircraft

Previous aircraft operated by the Air Force were the [Gulfstream IV](/source/Gulfstream_IV), [Cessna 150](/source/Cessna_150), [Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander](/source/Britten-Norman_BN-2_Islander), [Scottish Aviation Bulldog](/source/Scottish_Aviation_Bulldog), and [Short Skyvan](/source/Short_SC.7_Skyvan).[19]

### Future acquisitions

The Botswana Air Arm Command has been considering a replacement for the BF-5 since 2013, due to the fact that the [Canadair CF-5s](/source/Canadair_CF-5) are old, built in the 1970s, and are increasingly hard to maintain and to find spare parts for them.[20] A report in 2013 by the then the head of the BDF's air arm, Major General Odirile Mashinyana, recognized the need to replace the aircraft, but also advised that upgrading the BF-5s would allow time to save funds for a well chosen successor.[21]

Since that time, the [KAI T-50 Golden Eagle](/source/KAI_T-50_Golden_Eagle),[22] used versions of the [F-16](/source/F-16), and the [Saab](/source/Saab_AB) [Gripen](/source/Gripen) were all considered.[23][24] The most recent potential replacement was the [Hindustan Aeronautics Limited](/source/Hindustan_Aeronautics_Limited)-made [HAL Tejas](/source/HAL_Tejas) fighter,[25] however as of January 2025, the Tejas is no longer being considered.[26]

## Ranks

Main article: [Military ranks of Botswana](/source/Military_ranks_of_Botswana)

### Commissioned officer ranks

The rank insignia of [commissioned officers](/source/Commissioned_officer).

Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers Botswana Defence Force Air Wing[27] v t e Major general Brigadier Colonel Lieutenant colonel Major Captain First lieutenant Second lieutenant

### Other ranks

The rank insignia of [non-commissioned officers](/source/Non-commissioned_officer) and [enlisted personnel](/source/Enlisted_rank).

Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted Botswana Defence Force Air Wing[27] v t e No insignia Warrant officer class 1 Warrant officer class 2 Staff sergeant Sergeant Corporal Lance corporal Private (or equivalent)

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Only 14 CF-5s (both single- and dual-seat versions) remain in service in 2009.[5]

## Citations

1. **[^](#cite_ref-IISS1_1-0)** [International Institute for Strategic Studies](/source/International_Institute_for_Strategic_Studies) (15 February 2023). [*The Military Balance 2023*](https://www.iiss.org/publications/the-military-balance/the-military-balance-2023). [London](/source/London): [Routledge](/source/Routledge). p. 436. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781032508955](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781032508955).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Botswana Defence Force"](https://online.bdf.org.bw/index). *online.bdf.org.bw*. Retrieved 6 May 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Orbats"](https://www.scramble.nl/planning/orbats/botswana). *www.scramble.nl*. Retrieved 6 May 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_4-1) ["Botswana Air Force"](https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/botswana/air-arm.htm). *www.globalsecurity.org*. Retrieved 6 May 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Janes_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Janes_5-1) "Jane's Sentinel Country Risk Assessments Southern Africa". *Ihs Jane's Sentinel. Country Risk Assessments. Southern Africa* (26). [Jane's Information Group](/source/Jane's_Information_Group): 94–96. 2009. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1754-9256](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1754-9256).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-upi_7-0)** ["Botswana buys Swiss trainers"](http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2011/04/25/Botswana-buys-Swiss-trainers/UPI-51061303744131/). upi.com business news. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110829050654/http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2011/04/25/Botswana-buys-Swiss-trainers/UPI-51061303744131) from the original on 29 August 2011. Retrieved 13 September 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FG2_8-0)** ["Botswana builds UAV surveillance force"](http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2001/03/20/127601/botswana-builds-uav-surveillance-force.html). *Flightglobal*. Reed Business Information. 20 March 2001. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070930030752/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2001/03/20/127601/botswana-builds-uav-surveillance-force.html) from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 30 September 2011. According to sources in Botswana, the southern African country recently signed a contract to purchase at least three short-range systems from Silver Arrow

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FG1_9-0)** Peter La Franchi (5 June 2007). ["Singapore seals deal for Hermes 450 UAVs"](http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/06/05/214395/singapore-seals-deal-for-hermes-450-uavs.html). *Flightglobal*. Reed Business Information. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070930031626/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/06/05/214395/singapore-seals-deal-for-hermes-450-uavs.html) from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 9 June 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["BDF assists plane crash victims."](https://www.google.co.bw/search?q=bdf+pc7+crash&oq=bdf+pc7+crash&aqs=chrome..69i57.5424j0j1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#) *dailynews.gov.bw,* Retrieved 21 September 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["A Botswana Defence Force (BDF) Ecureuil helicopter crashed this morning (27/6/14). Two pilots who were on board the aircraft were taken to Thebephatshwa Hospital in a conscious condition"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170921095005/http://www.dailynews.gov.bw/news-details.php?nid=12460). Prince Kangwane. Archived from [the original](http://www.dailynews.gov.bw/news-details.php?nid=12460) on 21 September 2017. Retrieved 21 September 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["BDF plane crashes, kills 3."](http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?aid=66563&dir=2017/february/10) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181217062604/http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?aid=66563&dir=2017%2Ffebruary%2F10) 17 December 2018 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) *mmegi.bw,* 10 February 2017. Retrieved 21 September 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** @BWGovernment (27 April 2018). ["PRESS RELEASE"](https://twitter.com/BWGovernment/status/989848889481146369) ([Tweet](/source/Tweet_(social_media))) – via [Twitter](/source/Twitter).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Patricia Edwin. ["Armed forces inherit old Francistown Airport"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170921095639/http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=1&aid=169&dir=2011%2FSeptember%2FThursday8). Archived from [the original](http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=1&aid=169&dir=2011/September/Thursday8) on 21 September 2017. Retrieved 21 September 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Indra is awarded Botswana's air defence control system"](http://www.indra.es/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/Render&inifile=futuretense.ini&c=SalaPrensa_FA&cid=1103830050408&p=1083830063846&pid=1083830063846&Language=en_GB&mes=January&ay=2005&retorno=Url:listadoProyecto). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110720142253/http://www.indra.es/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=OpenMarket%2FXcelerate%2FRender&inifile=futuretense.ini&c=SalaPrensa_FA&cid=1103830050408&p=1083830063846&pid=1083830063846&Language=en_GB&mes=January&ay=2005&retorno=Url%3AlistadoProyecto) from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 21 September 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Botswana (Botswana) – Jane's Land-Based Air Defence"](http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Land-Based-Air-Defence/Botswana-Botswana.html). Janes.com. 4 April 2011. Retrieved 21 September 2017.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-World_Air_Forces_2023_17-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-World_Air_Forces_2023_17-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-World_Air_Forces_2023_17-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-World_Air_Forces_2023_17-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-World_Air_Forces_2023_17-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-World_Air_Forces_2023_17-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-World_Air_Forces_2023_17-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-World_Air_Forces_2023_17-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-World_Air_Forces_2023_17-8) [***j***](#cite_ref-World_Air_Forces_2023_17-9) [***k***](#cite_ref-World_Air_Forces_2023_17-10) Hoyle, Craig (2025). ["World Air Forces 2026"](https://www.flightglobal.com/download?ac=113841). Flightglobal. p. 14. Retrieved 26 January 2026.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: date and year ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_date_and_year))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Çetiner, Yusuf (8 July 2024). ["The United States Donates a C-130 Hercules Military Transport Aircraft To The Botswana Defense Force"](https://www.overtdefense.com/2024/07/08/the-united-states-donates-a-c-130-hercules-military-transport-aircraft-to-the-botswana-defense-force/). Overt Defense. Retrieved 13 July 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["World Air Forces 2004"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130516072559/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/2004/2004-09%20-%202339.html). *Flight International*. flightglobal.com. 16–22 November 2004. p. 46. Archived from [the original](http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/2004/2004-09%20-%202339.html) on 16 May 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["World Air Forces 1981 pg. 328"](https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1981/1981%20-%202500.html). flightglobal.com. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180102073741/https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1981/1981%20-%202500.html) from the original on 2 January 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Patrick Kenyette, May 30, 2023, [Botswana in negotiation with India for Tejas aircraft](https://www.military.africa/2023/05/botswana-in-negotiation-with-india-for-tejas-aircraft/) – updated June 12, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** Ekene Lionel, March 25, 2021, [Contest for Botswana's new fighter jet gathers momentum](https://www.military.africa/2021/03/contest-for-botswana-new-fighter-jet-gathers-momentum/), Military Africa.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** [South Korea's Eagle swoops on Botswana](https://www.timesaerospace.aero/features/defence/south-koreas-eagle-swoops-on-botswana), Times aerospace, April 10, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** [Botswana looks to India for fighter upgrade](https://www.timesaerospace.aero/features/defence/botswana-looks-to-india-for-fighter-upgrade), Times aerospace, 2 August 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWyatt2017_25-0)** [Wyatt 2017](#CITEREFWyatt2017).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** [Gaborone looks to procure Indian HAL fighter aircraft](https://www.africaintelligence.com/southern-africa-and-islands/2023/03/16/gaborone-looks-to-procure-indian-hal-fighter-aircraft,109924094-art), Africa intelligence, 16/3/2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** ["Govt Halts Plans To Purchase Indian Fighter Jets"](https://www.thegazette.news/news/govt-halts-plans-to-purchase-indian-fighter-jets/). 23 January 2025. Retrieved 25 January 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Botswana_28-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Botswana_28-1) ["Ranks"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160826111806/http://www.gov.bw/en/Ministries--Authorities/Ministries/State-President/Botswana-Defence-Force-BDF/About-the-BDF1/Ranks-and-Insignia/). Government of Botswana. Archived from [the original](http://www.gov.bw/en/Ministries--Authorities/Ministries/State-President/Botswana-Defence-Force-BDF/About-the-BDF1/Ranks-and-Insignia/) on 26 August 2016. Retrieved 22 September 2016.

## References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Air force of Botswana](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Air_force_of_Botswana).

- [International Institute for Strategic Studies](/source/International_Institute_for_Strategic_Studies) (15 February 2019). *The Military Balance 2019*. [London](/source/London): [Routledge](/source/Routledge). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781857439885](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781857439885).

- Wyatt, Chris (5 October 2017). ["Feature: Botswana's Gripen plan highlights need for a defence white paper | defenceWeb"](http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=49486:feature-botswanas-gripen-plan-highlights-need-for-a-defence-white-paper&catid=32:military-art-a-science&Itemid=112). *www.defenceweb.co.za*. Retrieved 7 October 2017.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Air Arm Command (Botswana)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Arm_Command_(Botswana)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Arm_Command_(Botswana)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.