Namibia’s military has officially received two Shaanzi Y-9E transport aircraft from China, marking the country as the first export customer for the model. The aircraft, delivered in November and handed over in a ceremony on December 16 in Grootfontein, were welcomed by Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba. The aircraft’s registration numbers, NAF-1962 and NAF-1990, commemorate the birth year of Namibia’s defense chief and the country’s independence year, respectively.
The acquisition of these medium transport aircraft is seen as a significant enhancement to the operational capabilities of the Namibian Defense Forces, improving the country’s ability to swiftly deploy soldiers in both peacetime and wartime. President Mbumba emphasized the need for Namibia to maintain strong defense capabilities in an unpredictable world. He also highlighted the value of Namibia’s growing relationship with China, particularly through collaborations with Chinese companies like CATIC (China Aeronautic Technology and Import Corporation).
Air Vice-Marshal Teofilus Shaende, commander of Namibia’s air force, noted that the new aircraft will be vital for both military and humanitarian missions, particularly in reaching remote areas during crises like droughts. The aircraft’s ability to airlift relief supplies will be crucial in delivering food and aid to affected communities.
Lyu Li, Vice President of China National Aero-Technology, reaffirmed China’s commitment to providing after-sales support for the Y-9Es, ensuring their reliable operation throughout their service life.
Namibia’s air force, which has a relatively small transport fleet, previously operated Harbin Y-12s and Antonov An-26s, with many of its military aircraft sourced from China. The Y-9, a modernized version of the Y-8, is designed for multiple roles, including troop transport and cargo delivery, with a payload capacity of up to 30 tons.
