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Columbus Mabika–Herald Reporter

The Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) is expanding its training programmes to enhance the intellectual capacity of its personnel to meet the objective of attaining an upper middle income economy by 2030.

ZDF Commander General Philip Sibanda has said they were fully embracing technology to meet the demands of the 21st century and effectively deal with emerging threats associated with the digital age.

The development comes as the Second Republic has urged citizens and institutions to embrace technology saying it plays an important role in the development of the nation and forms the backbone of industry in the digital era.

Gen Sibanda fielded questions from the media yesterday ahead of this year’s commemoration of the Defence Forces Day next week.

He emphasised the need for a well trained and equipped force capable of containing the challenges the country faces.

“Key programmes in the fifth decade (into independence) are being carried within the context of Vision 2030. My vision for the Zimbabwe Defence Forces is to have a well-trained, disciplined professional land and air force capable of carrying out the constitutional mandate to contain traditional and non-traditional security threats,” said Gen Sibanda.

“In order to achieve this capability, ZDF should be well trained and equipped with modern equipment, highly mobile and motivated. 

“Training remains central towards generating the desired Zimbabwe Defence Forces capability.”

Gen Sibanda said going forward, there would be a major transformation in the training of officers, with a new syllabus encompassing a science degree set to be introduced for young officer cadets.

General Sibanda said research and development programmes remained central in keeping pace with developments in developed countries, adding that ZDF had signed cooperation agreements with various institutions. 

“ZDF will intensify and expand its research and development projects for the improvement of the organisation’s capabilities. 

“In a bid to enhance ZDF capability in the identification and development of equipment and materials that are compatible with emerging technologies, it entered into joint research and development cooperation agreements with various institutions.”

Among the institutions with which ZDF had signed agreements were the Scientific and Industrial Research Development Centre (SIRDC), the Harare Institute of Technology and the University of Zimbabwe.

Through research and development, ZDF had been successful in the production of some aircraft components, field kitchens and the production of machine and vehicle components.

On the response to natural disasters, Gen Sibanda said the frequency of severe disasters had risen in recent years with the country experiencing cyclone-induced floods.

ZDF had directed more attention towards preparedness and response to natural disasters.

“During this decade, the ZDF was called upon to assist in mitigating the effects of Cyclone Dineo in 2017 and Cyclone Idai in 2019. 

“Lessons learnt from these most recent disasters and those before indicate that the ZDF should play a major role particularly at the initial stages of the response efforts,” he said.

On participation in peace support operations, Gen Sibanda said ZDF continued to deploy its members under the auspices of United Nations and African Union as part of the country’s contribution to international peace and security.

He said the Covid-19 pandemic was a security threat so all men and women in uniform who were supposed to be vaccinated.

“The Zimbabwe Defence Forces has not been spared from the Covid-19 pandemic raging across the globe which has become a security threat to peace and security because of the far reaching socio-economic consequences.

“With no known preventive or curative drugs in place, we should embrace vaccination as part of efforts to combat this lethal disease,” he said