Zimbabwe has been ranked number 83 in the world according to the 2019 Military Strength Ranking compiled by Global fire Power, which is the trusted source of military rankings worldwide.
Zimbabwe ranks 13th on the African continent in terms of the military mighty, behind countries such as South Africa, Angola and Zambia.
The ranking uses 55 different factors including the number and diversity of weapons.
Other factors which are considered included: location, natural resources, local industry. financial stability, but not the current political leadership.
According to the report, Zimbabwe’s firepower is structured as follows:
- 30 000 active personnel;
- 0 reserve personnel;
- 5 584 086 manpower at its disposal;
- 3 182 989 people fit-for-service;
- 308 744 citizens reach the eligible age to serve annually;
- 10 aircraft fighters;
- 7 attack aircraft;
- 14 transport aircraft;
- 46 trainer aircraft;
- 42 combat tanks;
- 300 fighting armoured vehicles;
- 0 self-propelled artillery;
- 65 towed artillery;
- 22 rocket projectors;
- 0 frigates;
- 0 submarines;
- 0 patrol vessels; and
- 0 mine warfare vessels.
The top 15 armies in Africa are (bracket value is world ranking):
1) Egypt (12);
2) Algeria (27);
3) South Africa (32);
4) Nigeria (44);
5) Ethiopia (47);
6) Angola (57);
7) Morocco (60);
8) Sudan (69);
9) DR Congo (72);
10) Libya (77);
11) Zambia (78);
12) Tunisia (80);
13) Zimbabwe (83);
14) Kenya (86); and
15) Uganda (93).
Matanga, what weapons do we have unless these rankings are been rated using Chimurenga,
lol zvemunho soo!
so what
Its a lie Zambia cant be stronger than Zimbabwe and Rwanda. The DRC was assisted by Zimbabwe when it failed to contain the rebels.
A good detail on military capabilities but better still Zimbabwe has to rank more honorably in the economic and democratic development landscape just to guarantee the military is not a burden to the economy.
Let’s not lie to ourselves about the military rankings bcz nun of this is true. South Africa lost against Lesotho and DRC was assisted by Zim and then Angola’s savimbi was destroyed by Zim then turn to Mozambique. We cannot compare a country that has never gone to war before against countries that has been in war. They might have better economy and equipments but let me remind u that even the US with all the equiments they have, they lost in Somalia with their numbers rankings. Let’s not fool ourselves, economy doesn’t fight a war.
The Zimbabwe Defense Forces is a secrete organisation which has so far managed to preserve its military capability to insiders only.
Noone know how many elements belong to this organisation. Noone knows how many aircafts are at thornhill and manyame. Noone knows how many battle tanks it has. Noone has a full documentary on the inside parts of their brigades. Should i remind you that, we have many brigades and battalions.
The Zimbabwe National Army has eight brigade-sized formations, plus two district commands. These are 1 to 5 Infantry Brigades, Presidential Guard Brigade, Mechanised Brigade and Artillery Brigade, Harare District and Bulawayo District.
1 Infantry Brigade, Khumalo Barracks, Bulawayo (Brig. Gen. Augustine Chiperwe)
2 Infantry Brigade, Kaguyi Barracks (formerly Old Cranborne Barracks), Harare (Brig. Gen. Fidelis Mhonda)
3 Infantry Brigade, Herbert Chitepo Barracks, Mutare (Brig. Gen. Eliah Bandama, until his death on 11 July 2014)
4 Infantry Brigade, Gava Musungwa Zvinavashe Barracks, Masvingo (Brig. Gen. Exesbios Tshuma)
5 Infantry Brigade, Ngezi Barracks, Kwekwe (Brig. Gen. Justin Mujaji, from 1 March 2012) Deputy Commander to February 2014 was Col. Morgan Mzilikazi Current Deputy Commander may be Col. Svitswa.
Presidential Guard Brigade, Dzivarasekwa Barracks, Harare (Brig. Gen. Fidelis Mhunda)
Mechanised Brigade, Inkomo Barracks, Harare (Maj. Gen. Paul Chima, Deputy Brigade Commander Col. Charles Shumba)
Artillery Brigade, Domboshava (Brig. Gen. Stanley Mangena), Deputy Brigade Commander Col. Everson Nyamangodo.
Harare District. Deputy Commander in 2014 was Lt. Col. Posani Matsaka.
Bulawayo District. (Col. Exsebios Vusa Tshuma,[46] although he is more recently reported as promoted to 4 Inf Bde commander).
One, now dated, web publication gave the infantry brigade organisation as:
Three Combat Groups with 35 APCs each
Reconnaissance Company (12 EE-9 Cascavel)
Signals Company
Mortar Battery (6 81/82-mm or 120-mm)
SAM 3 Advanced battery
Engineer company
Supply and transport
Workshop
Medical units
Units
1 Parachute Battalion (or Parachute Regiment) – Inkomo Barracks, Nyabira (Lt. Col. Jameson Bishi). Formed in 1981 and distinguished by maroon berets.
1 Commando Battalion (or Commando Regiment) – Charles Gumbo Barracks, Harare (Lt. Col. Lazarus Kativhu). Formed in 1981 and distinguished by ‘tartan green’ berets.
Special Air Service (Lt. Col. Casper Nyagura)
Mounted Infantry Regiment – Amoth Norbert Chingombe Barracks, Inkomo
1 Presidential Guard Battalion – State House, Harare. Distinguished by yellow berets.
2 Presidential Guard Battalion – Dzivarasekwa Barracks, Harare. Distinguished by yellow berets.
Armoured Regiment– Nkomo Barracks, Harare
1 Mechanised Battalion – Inkomo (Lt. Col. Colleen Mafika, from January 2018)
2 Mechanized Battalion – Darwendale.
11 Combat Group – Induna Barracks, Bulawayo (Lt. Col. Oscar Tshuma)[50] Note: Video footage of 1 Brigade colours on parade shows the correct titles of units are ’11 Combat Group’ and ’12 Infantry Battalion’.
12 Infantry Battalion– Hwange
13 Reserve Force Battalion – Plumtree?
21 Combat Group – Mutoko
22 Infantry Battalion (Lt Col Terryson Marufu) – Mudzi
23 Combat Group – Magunje
31 Combat Group – Mutare
32 Combat Group – Tsanzaguru (Maj. Stephen Tadius Chifamba Rtd 2004), Rusape.
33 Combat Group – Changadzi Barracks, Mutare (or Chipinge)
41 Combat Group – Masvingo Barracks, Masvingo
42 Combat Group – Mupandawana, Gutu
43 Infantry Battalion (Combat Group? Buffalo Range, Chiredzi Rutenga (or Masvingo)
51 Infantry Battalion (Combat Group?) – Dadaya, Zvishavane (or Battlefields, Ngezi)
52 Infantry Battalion (Combat Group?) – Battlefields, Ngezi
53 Infantry Battalion – Battlefields, Ngezi
1 Field Regiment (Lt. Col. Chitungo) – Alphida Farm, Domboshawa
2 Field Regiment – Alphida Farm, Domboshawa
1 Air Defence Artillery Regiment(Lt. Col Last Sithole) – Redcliff Barracks (formerly Ponderossa Barracks), Redcliff[citation needed]
1 Engineer Regiment – Pomona Barracks, Harare
2 Engineer Regiment – Pomona Barracks, Harare
Engineering Construction Regiment – Pomona Barracks, Harare.
National Demining Squadron
3 Brigade Engineers (Maj. Chamunorwa Gambiza)
4 Brigade Engineer Squadron (Maj. Fikilephi Dube)
5 Brigade Engineers – Kwekwe
Boat Squadron (part of the Special Forces of Zimbabwe) – Nyami-Nyami, Kariba
Central Ammunition Depot (CAD) – Darwendale
Bulawayo Ordnance (Lt. Col. W. Mushawarima)
Training establishments
Zimbabwe National Defence University – Harare
Zimbabwe Staff College – Josiah Magama Tongogara Barracks, Harare
Zimbabwe Military Academy (ZMA) – Gweru
Zimbabwe School of Infantry (Z S Inf) – Mbalabala
All Arms Battle School (AABS) – Nyanga
Recruit Training Depot (RTD)– Imbizo Barracks, Bulawayo
Field Artillery Training School (Lt. Col I Chitungo)- Ngezi Barracks, Battlefields
Zimbabwe School of Military Engineering (ZSME) – Pomona Barracks, Harare.
Armour Training School – Inkomo Barracks, Nyabira
Bomb Range Training Camp – Esigodini
Lazy Nine Training Ground – Shurugwi
Katanga Range – Kwekwe
Godhlwayo Training Area – Matabeleland North
Wafa-Wafa Commando Training Grounds – Kariba.
1.2 Battalion Satellite Training Centre – Hwange.
2.3 Combat Group Satellite Training Centre – Magunje.
53 Infantry Battalion Recruit Satellite Training Centre – Battlefields.
School of Signals
School of Military Intelligence
Instructors Training School
Military School of Music
Medical Training School
Ordnance and Transport Training School
School of Military Police
Information Technology Training School
School of Logistics
Pay Corps Training School
Army School of Physical Training and Sports (Commandant: Lt. Col. Camble Sithole