Rhodesian Military News

[The Commonwealth of Rhodesia]

Two additional LST's have been commissioned into service - LST Oceanus and LST Hyperon.

The 155th Armored Battalion, part of the Thirteenth Marine Division, has been activated with T-55 Askari tanks.

Parts of 95th Mechanized Battalion and 155th Armored Battalion, both parts of the Marine Division, have embarked at Quelimane and have begun sailing south.

Parts of the Airborne division have also been activated.

[The Commonwealth of Rhodesia]

Rhodesian Su-33ER strike aircraft are being readied for deployment to la Palma.

[The Commonwealth of Rhodesia]

RAI is beginning production of a variant of the BaE Hawk following the acquisition of a production license from BaE.

The Hawk TA.2 features a slightly stretched fuselage, allowing it to carry enough fuel for an 800km combat radius. The aircraft also features more advanced avionics, allowing for the carriage of PGM's, laser designators and rangefinders, FLIR pods and a ballistic computer for unguided bombing. An order has been placed for twenty aircraft.

Construction has begun on a prototype, designated the Hawk XTA.3, which is a carrier-based version of the TA.2.

[The Commonwealth of Rhodesia]

The RhAF has announced plans for re-organization. Old aircraft will be retired and four Dispersed Air Operations Programme bases will be closed. Their Tigershark FGR.1 fighters will either be placed into reserve storage, or assigned to other units to replace older aircraft.

Fifteen Tigersharks are undergoing upgrade to FS.2 standard, which will allow their use in the anti-shipping role.

The number of jet trainers will be tripled with the production of the Hawk TA.2.

An Anti-Submarine Warfare squadron will operate the land-based Contra ASW when it becomes available.

[The Commonwealth of Rhodesia]

The vehicles and men of 155 Armored and 95 Mechanized Battalions have arrived in la Palma.

The 12 Tigershark FGR's of 232 Tactical Fighter Squadron have joined the 10 SU-33ER's of 164 Squadron in the Canaries. Both 232 TFS and 164 Sqdn. have been supplied with PGM's and A-Darter and D-Darter air to air missiles.

The newly formed 20th Independent AEW Squadron and parts of 61 Squadron, equipped with AC-47 gunships, are also placed on a heightened state of readiness.

[The Commonwealth of Rhodesia]

Some AC-47 gunships are being fitted with forward-looking infrared laser targeting equipment on wing hardpoints.

[The Commonwealth of Rhodesia]

The Rhodesian Navy and Air Force have stepped up anti-smuggling operations in the Indian Ocean. These patrols are intended to stop the flow of drugs into Southern Africa and to allow sailors and airmen on the RNS Rhodesia additional operational experience. The carrier has embarked with a mixed air wing of Sea Harrier FA.2's and KA-25 ASW and AEW helicopters and is accompanied by other Rhodesian vessels.

[The Commonwealth of Rhodesia]

Tests have begun on a new 20mm autocannon. The weapon is based on technologies from the 30mm 2A42 automatic cannon, the 23mm 2A14 and the HS.404 MkV and is chambered for the 20x110 Hispano caliber. It can be configured for left hand, right hand or dual feed and is designed to fit into existing mounts for the 2A14 such as the ZSU-23-4 and the ZU-23-2 as well as those on infantry fighting vehicles. If successful, it will be gradually introduced into service beginning with new vehicles and in maintenance to existing ones. The goal of the program is to reduce the number of autocannon calibers in use by the Rhodesian Armed Forces, with the final objective being the use of 20mm Hispanio guns for coaxial and light AA mountings, 30mm Russian for IFV and main AA mountings, and 40mm Bofors for main IFV guns. 

Export versions in 23mm and 25mm caliber are also being considered.

[The Commonwealth of Rhodesia]

The Leopard IFSV Mk2 has entered production. The Mk2 is armed with a turret featuring a combination 120mm gun/mortar and 20mm autocannon. Existing vehicles will eventually be upgraded to Mk2 standard. A similar upgrade is being considered for Merkava Mk1 Tankambulances.