Zimbabwe Defence Forces

Zimbabwe Defence forces
Mauto eZimbabwe
Flag of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces
Founded18 May 1980 (1980-05-18)
Service branches Zimbabwe National Army
 Air Force of Zimbabwe
HeadquartersHarare
Leadership
PresidentEmmerson Mnangagwa
Minister of DefenceOppah Muchinguri
Chief of DefenceEmmanuel Matatu
Personnel
ConscriptionN/A
Active personnel29,000 active
21,800 paramilitary (ranked 83rd)
Expenditure
Budget$1.7 billion (2022)
Percent of GDP2.16% (2018)
Industry
Foreign suppliers Russia
 China
United States
Israel
Singapore
Belgium
United Kingdom
Related articles
HistoryMilitary history of Zimbabwe
RanksMilitary ranks of Zimbabwe

The Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) are the military forces responsible for the defence of Zimbabwe against external threats from other countries, and also to suppress internal armed factions. It is composed of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) and the Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ). (As a landlocked country Zimbabwe does not have a navy). Since November 2025 the ZDF is headed by General Emmanuel Matatu.