Botswana Defence Force - Air Wing
Last update : 23-10-10, written in green colour
Roundel Fin flash
PROCUREMENT
AND OPERATIONAL SERVICE
This
small African country operated BAC Strikemaster for training and ground
support when it decided to acquire fighters in 1995, there
was opposition in the country (which has only 1.5 million inhabitants
and a high degree of the population living below poverty level) due to the high cost of
acquisition and operation.
The
government proceeded anyhow with the search of a suitable aircraft,
found in the form of the Canadair CF-5.
On 14-06-96 it was announced that an order valued at USD 50m was placed through Bristol Aerospace
for 10 Canadair CF-5A and 3 Canadair CF-5D, upgraded in Canada but surplus to Canadian Air Force requirement. These
aircrafts were very advanced fighters, their instrumentation being comparable
to that on Canadian Boeing A/F18A, as they were foreseen as advanced pilots trainer before conversion to the latter aircraft. New radios were installed and the IFF system was modified United
States government approval, due to the re-export restrictions placed on aircraft with USA origins, had to be sought
before the contract was signed, approval granted by the USA Congress on April 24th, 1996.
A new base was also needed to host the fighters and works started at Molepole,
called Thebephatshwa
AB.
The first 5 Canadair CF-5A arrived at Gaborone
in March 1996 on
board of Antonov An-124 transport aircrafts.
Three CF-5D followed in September 1997, the final 5 CF-5A arriving
during October 1997.
The aircrafts were attached to the Z28 Squadron, formerly operating BAC Strikemaster.
A short training in the USA on the Northrop T-38A assured advanded training for
Strikemaster pilots, practically all Botswana citizens, while an
aircraft and engine maintenance basis was also built
at Gaborone
International Airport.
Unfortunately
CF-5A OJ 2 was damaged/written-of in March 97, a few days after
arrival, on landing at Gaborone, while
practising for an air-show.
A Defence
Industrial Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding between
Botswana and Canada was concluded on November 15th, 1999. Among
the
support equipment to be provided to Botswana were surplus CF-5
spares and accessories, including 20 mm aircraft cannons.
Three
additional single-seaters Canadair CF-5A and two double-seaters
Canadair CF-5D were bought and
delivered in 2000, approval had already been granted by the USA Congress on
November 7th, 1997.
Ascertained armament are rocket launchers and bombs. Botswana was interested in obtaining AIM-9 Sidewinders to counter Zimbabwan MiG-21s, but there is no trace of having been supplied.
BASES UNITS
Z18
Gaborone
International Airport Z28 Thebephatshwa AB - Molepole
A flight of two or three aircrafts of one of the two Squadrons is
maintained continously on alarm to defend the Botswanian sky.
Badges
Z18 Badge not available
INFORMATION NEEDED
Exact delivery date CF-5A OJ2, OJ6, OJ-7, OJ8, OJ9, OJ10, OJ11, OJ12, OJ13; CF-5D OJ22, OJ24, OJ25
Construction number/Canadian serial CF-5A OJ11, OJ12, 0J13; CF-5D OJ24, OJ25
Any earlier or later sighting.
Any additional information/corrections.