Nearly 1,000 military personnel from nine southern African nations have converged in Zambia for Exercise Blue Lugwasho 2025, a landmark regional air operation that blends humanitarian relief with counter-threat training as the host nation battles its most severe drought in four decades.
The South African Development Community (SADC) exercise, officially launched Monday at the Zambia Air Force (ZAF) base in Lusaka, was flagged off by acting Defence Minister Brenda Tambatamba on behalf of President Hakainde Hichilema.
She described the operation as “a practical demonstration of regional solidarity and preparedness in responding to natural disasters, humanitarian crises and modern security threats.”
Participating countries are Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The operation, coordinated by the SADC Standing Aviation Committee (SAC), marks the bloc’s first major post-pandemic air exercise since 2019.
ZAF commander Oscar Nyoni said the exercise also includes medical outreach missions led by the Zambia Flying Doctor Service, supported by government ministries and the SADC Secretariat.
“What distinguishes Blue Lugwasho 2025 is its integration of asymmetrical warfare simulation, a first for SADC SAC blue exercises,” Nyoni noted.
“This inclusion ensures participating air forces can train for the real world, not just theory.”
The Zambia Army and Zambia National Service are also participating, reinforcing the country’s commitment to regional peace and disaster response.
Named after the Tonga word for “help,” Blue Lugwasho has seen aircraft such as C-130 Hercules, C-27J Spartan, C295, Il-76 airlifters, and H215 and Agusta A109 helicopters deployed across Zambia’s southern corridor.
The aircraft are expected to deliver 450 tonnes of maize to drought-stricken districts including Livingstone, Sinazongwe, Maamba, Namwala, Itezhi-Tezhi, Gwembe, Mulobezi, and Mwandi.
The exercise runs until 26 September and is expected to strengthen operational coordination among SADC member states.
JN/APA