# Zambia deploys C-27J Spartan to Pemba

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2022/02/zambia-deploys-c-27j-spartan-to-pemba/
- Published: 2022-02-15T19:04:29+01:00
- Author: Sarah Lesedi

To fulfill the commitment to provide resources towards stabilizing the security 
situation in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, the Zambian Air Force (ZAF) has deployed 
one of its newly acquired C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft to Pemba, Mozambique.

The C-27J will help airlift over 50,000 kilograms of cargo for the South African
Defence Force from Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria to Mozambique, among other
SAMIM assigned tasks.

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The President of Zambia Hakainde Hichilema earlier in January committed to providing
resources towards stabilizing the security situation in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique,
following the SADC Meeting of Heads of State held in January 2022 in Malawi.

President Hichilema noted maintaining peace in neighboring countries is key for 
the social and economic development of the region.

“During the liberation struggle, Zambia was in a situation to assist other countries
and played a pivotal role in the liberation of the region. Zambia hosted a number
of liberation movement organisations like the Africa National Congress (ANC) whose
Headquarters was in Zambia. We are in a position were we can assist, you cannot 
enjoy freedom if there is instability in your region, for instability anywhere is
instability everywhere,” President Hichilema said.

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On 28th January 2022, the Zambia Air Force deployed the C-27J aircraft into PEMBA,
Mozambique under the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM), in support of the peace
keeping operation.

In a statement yesterday, Lieutenant General Barry said the deployment of a C-27J
aircraft to Pemba for cargo transportation is being undertaken under the Southern
African Development Community Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM). SAMIM is a peacekeeping
initiative by SADC member states to stabilise the security situation in Mozambique’s
Cabo Delgado Province.

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Since deployment the ZAF has provided logistical support to other SADC Member States
under SAMIM, explained Commander Colin Barry.

In 2015,[ Zambia ordered two C-27Js from Alenia Aeronautics](https://www.military.africa/2019/09/zambian-air-force-now-operating-c-27j-spartan-tactical-transport-aircraft)
to complement or replace its aging fleet of BAe 748s, Y-12, and MA60 transport aircraft.

> [Zambian Air Force now operating C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft](https://www.military.africa/2019/09/zambian-air-force-now-operating-c-27j-spartan-tactical-transport-aircraft/)

The C-27J Spartan transport aircraft was developed from the G-222/C-27A. For increased
range, the C-27J uses the same engines and systems as the Lockheed Martin C-130J
Super Hercules.

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