Africa-Press – Namibia. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has urged the defence ministry, through the Namibian Defence Force (NDF), to safeguard the country’s new military assets for future generations.
Her statement follows the official unveiling of two newly acquired Shaanxi Y-9E aircraft on Wednesday at the Hosea Kutako International Airport.
Speaking after a high-level inspection ceremony attended by Vice President Lucia Witbooi and Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare, the President emphasised the importance of maintaining the military aircraft.
“If these assets are taken care of well, the lifespan is 30 years. And with experience with machinery, you always note that the allocated years are just really the years for guides. But you might find that even in the cars, if you are told the lifespan is 10 years, after that, if you take care of it, it can even go to 30 years. So, it’s quite possible,” she said.
Namibia is the first country outside China to receive the Shaanxi Y-9E aircraft, a significant boost to its defence capabilities. The planes, delivered in November 2024, are known for their cargo capacity and speed.
Air Vice Marshal Teofilus Shaende said, the aircraft will be instrumental in transporting military personnel and equipment, as well as delivering humanitarian aid such as drought relief.
“As your commanding chief, I was really impressed by the knowledge which you have of the machines that you have… I was looking at the faces of the pilot, the faces of the ground staff. And when I looked at the troops marching into the aircraft, you could see the pride in the way they were walking and the way they were holding their weapons. So, that has encouraged me a lot,” she expressed with a smile on her face.
The President reminded the leadership of the defence force that maintenance is not just a technical duty,but a national responsibility that must be supported at all levels.
She was candid about the cost of defence investment, warning against a mindset of cutting corners.
“We know they are very expensive… But we must know that nothing good comes cheaply. So, if you want to live cheap in terms of how you want to take care of the whole nation, I’m telling you you will end up not taking care of the nation,” she said.
The seasoned diplomat then reaffirmed the government’s support for the military.
“Without politicising the defence force, in the election manifesto, we have put it there that as a government, we are committing to support our men and women in uniform so that they can meet the challenge of the day, particularly when it comes to the equipment that is necessary for their work,” she said.
The Head of State acknowledged the performance of the army during the recent flood emergency, noting that timely supply and deployment helped save lives.
Strategic
Shortly after the inspection, Shaende, the Air Force Commander, provided further insight into the strategic value of the new aircraft and the complex nature of military procurement.
“Military items and equipment are always itemised in the sense that you modify them to your requirement, and therefore it is difficult to really have a fixed price on military equipment… It’s not like any other product that’s found on the shelf,” he explained.
Shaende said the Y-9Es, acquired in late 2024, were selected for their ruggedness, range and multifunctionality, including troop and cargo transport and humanitarian response during emergencies.
“It is a multifunctional, multipurpose aircraft that is capable of covering long distances in a very short period of time… an impressive speed of 520 to almost 600 kilometres per hour,” Shaende said.
He underscored Namibia’s vast geography as a key factor in the decision, saying that “When you look at the vast landmass of Namibia, you realise that you will need proper air mobility. Not just for military purposes, but also to support the State, for example, during floods or other emergencies.”
On the question of cost, Shaende was cautious but clear about the broader context, saying, “Whatever was spent on these aircraft is not yet exhausted. This is an aircraft that will be in the air for 30 years. So, if you have to imagine how much you are going to spend… it is not just a fixed amount. There are spares, maintenance and contingencies for accidents; in aviation, there is no forgiveness.”
For More News And Analysis About Namibia Follow Africa-Press
