Antony Chawagarira
PRETORIA – Four fighter pilots from the Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ)’s Josiah Tungamirai Air Force Base in Gweru are representing the country at the 13th Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) Expo, currently underway in Pretoria, South Africa.
The international expo, which opened on Wednesday and runs until September 21 at Air Force Base Waterkloof, has attracted more than 400 exhibitors from around 40 countries. It provides a platform for countries and defence industry players to showcase developments in aerospace, aviation, and security.
Zimbabwe deployed an 18-member aircrew to the event, where the AFZ is showcasing its Karakorum-8 (K-8), also known as the Hongdu JL-8—an intermediate jet trainer and attack aircraft jointly developed by China and Pakistan.
The Zimbabwean delegation is led by Group Captain Joseph Mavengere and includes Wing Commander Norman Marodza, Squadron Leader Shepherd Vangani, and Flight Lieutenant Bradley Keith Munyambiri.
Wing Commander Marodza is expected to take to the skies in the K-8 during the aerial displays, demonstrating the aircraft’s capabilities through a series of demanding aerobatic maneuvers.
The planned display includes maximum-rate turns, knife-edge flight, Split-S, Cuban 8, four-point rolls, slow rolls, inverted flight, aileron rolls, Freestyles 1, 2, and 3, quarter cloverleaf, dirty pass, Drunken Master, high-speed low pass, and vertical rolls.
The participation allows Zimbabwe to showcase the professional skills of its military pilots while exposing its aircrew and technicians to developments in aerospace and defense technology.
The expo brings together senior military leaders, government officials, defense industry executives, and technology innovators, with discussions focusing on emerging technologies, security developments, and trends shaping Africa’s defense landscape.
South Africa’s Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, said the country was pleased to host an event of such magnitude, while highlighting the importance of exposing young people to science and technology.
About 12,000 learners are expected to attend the expo, where they will be exposed to science, technology, engineering, and related fields.
The event will also feature about 30 speakers from the aerospace and defense industries, who will discuss emerging technologies and developments affecting the sector.
Air Force Commander Air Marshal Jacob John Nzvede is among the senior Zimbabwean officials attending the expo and participating in the symposium.
South African National Defence Force Commander, General Rudzani Maphwanya, said the expo would also help members of the public understand military operations, with soldiers expected to demonstrate mini-war scenarios based on real battlefield situations.
South African Air Force Commander, Lieutenant General Carl Moatshi, said preparations had been completed for the aerial displays, which remain one of the major attractions of the expo.
For Zimbabwe, participation in the AAD comes at a time when the AFZ is also strengthening regional cooperation through the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The AFZ is set to host SADC air forces from September 21 to 25 for the SADC Standing Aviation Committee Exercise Blue Runde 2026.
The preparatory conference is expected to lay the groundwork for a multinational humanitarian disaster relief exercise planned for next year, covering Harare, Masvingo, Manicaland, Midlands, and Matabeleland South.
The exercise is expected to strengthen cooperation among SADC air forces and enhance their collective capacity to respond to humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters.
Zimbabwe’s presence at the AAD, therefore, provides an important platform for its aircrew and technical personnel to engage with counterparts from other countries and keep pace with emerging aerospace equipment, technologies, and operational trends.
