Remember Deketeke-Herald Correspondent
The country is targeting local production of 70 percent of its military requirements as it steps up efforts to modernise the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and build a domestic defence industry anchored on research, innovation and international partnerships.
The programme will see local universities working with defence research institutions to develop and manufacture military equipment, including drones, while strategic partnerships with countries such as China, Russia, India, Turkey and South Africa are expected to facilitate technology transfer.
Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri said this yesterday on the sidelines of the Junior Staff Course Number 85 graduation ceremony in Harare, where she outlined plans to strengthen the country’s defence capabilities despite challenges arising from sanctions and an arms embargo.
She said President Mnangagwa had directed her ministry to prioritise the modernisation of the Zimbabwe National Army and Air Force, with local production forming a key component of the drive.
“His Excellency has called upon my ministry to ensure that we modernise both our army and our air force,” she said.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said Zimbabwe had undertaken benchmarking visits to countries with established defence industries to identify technologies and opportunities that could support local manufacturing.
“We have been benchmarking with various countries within the Eastern Bloc. We have been to China, Russia, India, Turkey and recently South Africa, just to benchmark so that we are also able to borrow some ideas,” she said.
She said the arms embargo had constrained the country’s access to military equipment and technologies, but improving relations with other countries were opening opportunities for joint ventures and cooperation.
“You may recall that Zimbabwe has been on sanctions and our ability to develop has been hampered because we remain under an arms embargo. We are happy that most countries are warming up despite those sanctions and most countries are willing to go into joint ventures with us,” she said.
The local defence production drive will be supported by investments in research and development, with universities expected to provide the technical expertise needed to manufacture equipment locally.
“We are investing heavily in our Zimbabwe defence industries, working with our local universities to make sure that we also produce 70 percent of all our military requirements,” she said.
The programme will also cover unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), with the Zimbabwe Defence Forces already working through their research and development units to develop indigenous equipment.
“In terms of military requirements, we are also referring to drones. In this case, we have started through our research and development units to make sure that we produce our own equipment,” she said.
The expansion of the defence industry is also expected to create employment opportunities, particularly for skilled personnel in engineering, technology and manufacturing.
“So be prepared, we are going to be a major employer in terms of the defence industries,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Junior Staff Course Number 85 graduation brought together Zimbabwean and regional military personnel, highlighting the importance of professional development and cooperation among defence forces.
Zimbabwe Defence Forces Captain Decent Muza, who was named overall best student, said the 21-week programme had strengthened his capacity in staff duties, military administration and operational management.
He said the training had equipped officers with practical skills required both in office administration and field operations.
“I can say this college has shaped us into good and well-trained staff,” he said.
South African National Defence Force Major Rose Raseroka, named overall best allied student, said the course had provided an opportunity to strengthen military relations between Zimbabwe and South Africa while exposing participants to additional leadership and staff management skills.
She said the demanding programme had tested their mental resilience and teamwork, while the friendships established among participants would help sustain cooperation beyond the course.
Source: State targets 70pc local production of military equipment – herald
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