Pakistan
Aeronautical
Complex,
Kamra
will
supply
12
Super
Mushshak
trainer
aircraft
to
Zimbabwe.
The
business
completes
a
multi-million
dollar
transaction
that
was
sealed
when
Harare
participated
in
a
security
and
defence
exhibition
hosted
by
Islamabad
two
years
ago.
In
November
25,
2022,
a
high-powered
delegation
of
military
officers
led
by
Air
Vice
Marshall
Biltim
Chingono
was
in
Karachi
to
acquire
modern
aircraft
and
armaments
during
the
International
Defence
and
Exhibition
Seminar
(IDEAS)
where
over
30
contracts
were
signed.
The
MFI-17
Super
Mushshak
(The
Agile)
is
a
lightweight,
robust,
two/three
seats,
single-engine,
predominantly
all-metal
aircraft
with
fixed,
non-retractable,
tricycle
landing
gear.
It
has
been
developed
to
meet
US
FAR
23
certification
in
the
Normal
and
Utility
categories.
It
can
operate
from
short,
unprepared
strips.
It
has
a
260
HP
piston
engine,
state-of-the-art
glass
cockpit
suite
options,
an
environmental
control
system,
and
dual
control
Elevator
and
Rudder
trim
systems.
Zimbabwe
has
joined
a
list
of
other
African
countries,
which
including
Nigeria
that
have
procured
the
Super
Mushshak
training
aircraft
from
Islamabad.
According
to
PAC
regarding
the
Super
Mushshak,
the
company
noted
that
“this
piston-engine
trainer
plane
is
a
product
of
experience,
constant
changes
and
improvements,
innovation,
and
is
dedicated
to
meeting
all
service
conditions.
“Built
from
ground
up,
the
Super
Mushshak
is
an
easy
to
maintain
and
simple
to
fly
training/
utility
aircraft.
“The
Super
Mushshak
is
one
of
the
most
dependable
trainer
aircraft
flying
today,
embedded
with
state-of-the-art
systems
needed
for
imparting
quality
training.
Powered
by
the
American
Lycoming
engine,
the
Super
Mushshak
is
built
like
a
model
plane.
Since
these
planes
are
to
be
flown
by
air
forces
over
different
terrains,
over
salt
water,
in
the
desert
heat,
and
cooler
environments,
around
half
of
the
world,
individual
parts
have
to
be
treated
to
protect
them
from
the
harsh
environmental
effects.”
Zimbabwe
requires
new
trainer
and
combat
aircraft
to
replace
it’s
aging
and
worn
out
fleet.
The
country
is
still
reeling
from
Western-imposed
sanctions,
and
has
now
moved
to
source
it’s
military
equipment
from
eastern
Europe
and
countries
in
Asia,
including
Pakistan.
The
United
States
and
European
Union
had
since
2001
maintained
sanctions
on
the
Zimbabwe
Defence
Industries,
the
country’s
arms
manufacturer.
However,
the
state-run
arms
manufacturer
was
scrapped
from
the
US
Executive
Orders
sanctions
list
this
year.
The
Air
Force
of
Zimbabwe
(AFZ)
is
known
to
operate
a
modest
fast
jet
force
comprised
of
some
nine
Chengdu
F-7NII
and
FT-7N
fighter
aircraft
and
ten
Hongdu
K-8E
jet
trainers
acquired
from
China
in
the
late
1980s
and
mid-2000s
respectively.
In
2020,
a
Zimbabwe
Air
Force
SIAI-Marchetti
SF260
trainer
aircraft crashed in
a
compound
in
Somabhula,
about
24
km
south-west
of
Gweru,
near
the
central
city
of
Gweru,
killing
both
pilots.
Three
years
later,
another
trainer crashed in
the
Mlezu
College
general
area,
near
Gweru,
killing
two
pilots
onboard.
The
Zimbabwe
Air
Force
has
turned
to
Nigeria
for
technical
assistance
to
upgrade
its
air
capabilities.
The
Commander,
Air
Force
of
Zimbabwe
(AFZ),
Air
Marshal
Elson
Moyo,
said
this
during
a week-long
visit in
March
last
year
to
some
Nigerian
Air
force
units,
including
the
North
East.
The
Zimbabwe
air
chief
requested
for
technical
support
in
the
areas
of
research
and
development,
unmanned
aerial
vehicle
technology
as
well
as
operation
and
maintenance
of
F-7 AirGuard and
Mi-35
aircraft.
Moyo
said
the
identified
areas
for
collaboration
were
of
common
and
peculiar
aviation
interests
to
Zimbabwe
and
Nigeria,
whose
air
forces
operate
some
similar
aircraft.
Nigeria
also fields the
Super
Mushshak
trainer
aircraft.
The
Nigerian
Air
Force
has
the
experience
and
expertise
to
provide
Zimbabwe
with
the
necessary
technical
assistance.
As
a
leader
in
modern
aviation,
the
Nigerian
Air
Force
is
renowned
for
its
advanced
aircraft
and
weaponry,
as
well
as
its
highly
skilled
personnel.