ABOUT THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is a Government Institution with a mandate to preserve, protect and defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Zambia from both internal and external aggression in order to maintain peace and stability for national development. The Ministry draws its mandate from the Government Gazette notice No. 547 of 2004 to protect and defend the territorial integrity of Zambia. MoD is accordingly responsible for the following portfolio functions; (i) Combined Cadet Force, (ii) Home Guards, (iii) National Defence Policy, (iv) War Graves and Memorials, (v) Zambia Defence Force, and (vi) Zambia National Service. The Ministry is generally represented in all the ten provinces of Zambia. In executing its mandate, MoD works in close collaboration with Disaster Management Unit (DMMU) and Ministries of: Home Affairs and Internal Security; Foreign Affairs and International Collaboration; and Justice.

Organizational Set-Up 

The Ministry of Defence is headed by the Honorable Minister of Defence with the Permanent Secretary as its Controlling Officer. It comprises of two main components; the Military component and the Civilian Component. Of the two components, the Civilian components is made up of five (5) departments, whereas the Military component is made up of eight (8) segments. The following is the order of structure and departmental breakdown:

1. The Office of the Honorable Minister of Defence

2. The Office of the Permanent Secretary 

Civilian Departments

• Department of Human Resources and Administration
• Department of Research Planning and Projects
• Department of Finance
• Department of Procurement and Supply
• Internal Audit

Military Segments

• Defence Secretariat
• Defence Force Medical Services
• Zambia Army Stream
• Zambia Air Force Stream
• Zambia National Service Stream
• CISM (International Military Sports Council)
• Ex-Servicemen
• Military Chaplaincy