The Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) has suffered another tragic loss with the death of Squadron Leader Ritswanetsi Vuyo Ncube, who was killed when an F-7 fighter jet crashed shortly after take-off from Gweru’s Thornhill Air Base.
By Jarryd Sinovich and New Zimbabwe
The crash, which occurred during a routine training flight, has reignited scrutiny over Zimbabwe’s ageing fleet of Chinese-built F-7 fighter jets—aircraft that have been a backbone of the country’s air defence since the mid-1980s but have also seen a string of fatal incidents over the decades.
A Legacy of Service and Sacrifice
Zimbabwe first acquired its F-7s—Chinese variants of the Soviet MiG-21—in 1986, with a total of 12 aircraft delivered, comprising four F-7Bs and eight F-7NIIs. These jets were assigned to No. 5 Squadron and marked a significant upgrade from the older MiG-17s and Hawker Hunters that had previously served the AFZ.
Initial training and conversion were carried out at Thornhill, with Chinese advisers assisting local pilots and ground crew. Later, two FT-7BZ dual-seat trainers were added to improve pilot readiness. Over time, however, the F-7 fleet suffered notable attrition. Aircraft numbered 700 and 704 were lost in the 1990s during training sorties, while another, 708, was relegated to ground training use after sustaining damage.
Despite these setbacks, the fleet saw operational deployment during Zimbabwe’s controversial involvement in the Second Congo War. Ahead of deployment, several F-7s were upgraded with new camouflage and fitted to carry a diverse mix of weapons, including French Matra Magic and Soviet R-60MK missiles. However, the DRC deployment was marred by logistical issues, including a weather-related incident in which one F-7 was lost due to fuel exhaustion.
By 2005, the operational tempo of the fleet had slowed, and most airframes were moved into storage, though not formally retired. It remains unclear how many of Zimbabwe’s original F-7s remain airworthy. A 2024 estimate suggested the existence of three F-7Bs, five F-7NIIs, and two FT-7BZ trainers—although their actual operational status is uncertain.
A Time for Reflection
Squadron Leader Ncube’s death is a stark reminder of the risks faced by Zimbabwean pilots operating legacy platforms with limited support. Trained at South Africa’s Central Flying School in Langebaanweg, Ncube was among a generation of aviators tasked with keeping the AFZ airborne under increasingly constrained conditions. While Zimbabwe’s F-7s are a testament to resourcefulness and resilience, their continued use raises urgent questions. With regional air forces modernising and platforms like the F-7 increasingly obsolete, the latest crash may push policymakers to reconsider the future of Zimbabwe’s combat aviation capability.
