1. The Botswana Defence Force has noted with grave concern misleading report published by Sunday Standard/The Telegraph under the headline “Gift or Golden Handcuffs”, and subsequently reproduced on various online platforms, including Dikgang Newspaper. These reports attempt to portray the recent donation of a C- 130 Hercules aircraft by the Government of the United States of America as a financial burden disguised as assistance.
2. The BDF categorically rejects these assertions as misleading, speculative and devoid of factual foundation. The reports present conjecture as fact while failing to provide balanced reporting or seek clarification from the institutions directly involved. Such reporting has the potential to misinform members of the public, undermine confidence in national institutions and distort Botswana’s longstanding bilateral relations with its strategic international partners.
3. The donation of the C-130H aircraft forms part of the United States Government’s Excess Defence Articles (EDA) Programme, an established foreign security cooperation initiative administered by the United States Government. The programme enables partner nations to receive surplus but serviceable military equipment to strengthen their legitimate defence and humanitarian capabilities. Equipment transferred under the EDA programme is intended to enhance recipient countries’ operational capacity and regional security cooperation. The programme has benefited numerous partner nations across Africa and the world and is neither unique to Botswana nor unprecedented.
4. It is therefore misleading to portray Botswana’s participation in this programme as an extraordinary arrangement with hidden obligations. The EDA programme is a transparent, internationally recognised security cooperation mechanism founded on mutual interests, shared security objectives and established bilateral agreements.
5. The BDF further wishes to clarify that the acquisition of military capabilities is never undertaken in isolation from considerations of lifecycle support, sustainment, maintenance planning and operational requirements. Like every modern defence force, the BDF conducts technical, operational and financial assessments prior to acceptance of any military equipment. Any future maintenance, infrastructure improvement, personnel training or sustainment requirements associated with military capability development are part of normal defence planning and should not be misconstrued as hidden liabilities arising from the donation itself.
6. Indeed, the United States Government has consistently demonstrated its commitment to ensuring the sustainability of Botswana’s airlift capability. In January 2026, the United States donated nearly P13 million worth of brand-new C-130 maintenance parts, complementing the aircraft previously transferred and reaffirming a partnership spanning more than three decades. Additionally, Botswana has been approved to receive two further C-130H aircraft under the same programme, reflecting continued confidence in the BDF as a responsible security partner.
7. The defence relationship between Botswana and the United States is not recent. It spans decades and has consistently advanced Botswana’s national interests through defence cooperation, professional military education, disaster response support, humanitarian assistance, aviation training, logistics cooperation and peace support capability development.
8. The BDF therefore finds it unfortunate that a partnership built over several decades of mutual trust, transparency and shared commitment to regional peace and stability is now being misrepresented through speculative reporting unsupported by verified facts.
9. The Botswana Defence Force remains deeply concerned by the growing tendency to publish allegations concerning national security matters without affording affected institutions the right to reply, to provide clarification. Responsible journalism demands accuracy, fairness, verification and balance. These principles are especially critical when reporting on matters involving national defence and international security cooperation.
10. The publication and subsequent amplification of unverified information have the potential to:
a. mislead the public and create unnecessary anxiety;
b. undermine public confidence in national institutions;
c. damage the credibility and reputation of the Botswana Defence Force;
d. strain strategic partnerships that Botswana has carefully nurtured over the years;
e. erode public trust in professional journalism.
11. The BDF therefore urges media practitioners to exercise the highest standards of professionalism by verifying information with relevant authorities before publication. Matters concerning defence cooperation often involve technical, operational and diplomatic considerations that require informed and balanced reporting.
12. The Botswana Defence Force remains committed to transparency within the bounds of national security and will continue to provide factual information to the public through appropriate official channels.
13. The BDF equally reaffirms its enduring commitment to safeguarding Botswana’s sovereignty, supporting regional peace and security, and maintaining productive partnerships with friendly nations whose cooperation contributes to the Defence Force’s operational readiness and capability development.
14. The BDF can assure the nation that it has thoroughly inspected the aircraft, confirming it is fully operational and mechanically sound, which is consistent with previous donations. There are no underlying or undisclosed conditions. These donations are intended solely to expand operational reach and enhance the BDF’s air capabilities. We acknowledge that any newly acquired platform will inevitably incur maintenance and operational costs. It is also worth noting that maintenance of this aircraft is not necessarily linked to the donor.
15. Lastly, the BDF is grateful for such contributions from its partner forces and will always welcome similar offers, as these arrangements not only enhance the BDF’s operational capability, but also save the country a significant amount of money. This is fully consistent with one of the Commander’s strategic priorities of Control Escalating Operating Costs, which focuses on comprehensive cost-saving and efficiency measures on force-wide cost-saving initiatives, including bargain procurement and or acquisition.
16. Thank you,
Fana Maswabi
Lieutenant Colonel
Acting Director, Directorate of Protocol and Public Affairs
BOTSWANA DEFENCE FORCE HEADQUARTERS
