GREEN PARTY TO REVIEW AND TRANSFORM CAPABILITIES OF OUR DEFENCE FORCES In order for the Zambian Defence Forces to fulfill their roles properly, the Green Party believes that Zambia should ensure its armed forces can operate across a range of operations, from peacekeeping through to more conventional defence operations, with a clear strong focus on peacekeeping, disaster relief and resource protection. Zambia should also continue to develop its independent defence policy, but be prepared to operate multilaterally with other countries, if appropriate. This means having a well-trained and appropriately equipped core of professionals and territorials with appropriate equipment, logistic support and transport. In order to achieve these aims the Green party will review the structure and governance of the Zambia Defence Forces, looking at which functions can be carried out by civilian agencies or put under joint military/civilian operation. For example, on-going road-works, airport upgrades and construction of bridges can be done by a joint military/civilian operation. We will transform the Engineering Squadron in Mufulira into a fully-fledged Engineering Brigade responsible for all government infrastructure works. We will also transform the military airports (Samora Machel or Mbala Airforce Base and Mumbwa Airforce Base) to be operated by a joint military/civilian operation. We will upgrade and transform South Downs Airport in Kalulushi into a air-transport Division for VIP, medical evacuations, disaster and peace-keeping operations. We will rename it as General Muliokela Air Force Base And when the Marine Force is operational, we will consider to operate it as an integrated coastguard for peacekeeping, disaster relief, resource protection, and border control purposes through to defensive combat operations.
Posted on: Tue, 21 Oct 2014 11:03:24 +0000
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