Introduction & Background
The introduction and background section will cover the background of the study, the history of the Tanzanian Airline Industry, including its military context and the history of the Tanzania People’s Defense Forces (TPDF). TPDF is charged with the security of the external borders in Tanzania and at times, complements the regular police. It was established after the country attained independence and is composed of the army, navy, and air force. The Tanzanian air force, much like the airline industry, needs modernization to be able to confront 21st-century threats and remain a guarantor of safe airspace in the country.
Study Background
Tanzania is the largest country by landmass in East Africa. However, despite its landmass, internal security vulnerabilities, and external threats from extremist groups such as Al-Shabaab, and Islamic State in Mozambique, it lacks a modern air force capable of air superiority, information superiority, global attacks, and precision engagements. The primary reasons for the poor state of the air force are the lack of adequate financial resources, lack of technical know-how, and lack of trained personnel to operate modern aircraft. Understanding the specific weaknesses in Tanzanian air force modernization will guide government interventions to secure the airspace. It will also help the government assess the capacity gap to aid resource allocation.
The first airline was established in Frankfurt German and mainly served explorers. Since then, the airline industry has flourished especially since the invention of the jet engine in the 1950s. It has been impossible for airlines to make a profit but the jet engine made air travel cheaper.
However, in countries in East Africa, airlines continued making losses and struggled with modernization. In Tanzania where the Tanzanian People’s Defense Forces comprise an air force, efforts to modernize have been difficult because of the lack of necessary personnel with the requisite technical know-how and limited financial resources.
History of Tcpdf
TPDF was formed in 1964 after the dissolution of the King’s African Rifle battalions which had formed the initial army of the new republic of Tanzania. In 1965 under the leadership of the first President, Julius Nyerere, an autonomous air force wing was established to support the ground troops. This division of the army initially consisted of 8 planes but they grew in size as time went by. In 1978 when Uganda under dictator Idi Amin attacked Tanzania, the air force played a major role in defeating the numerically superior Ugandan force. However, since then, the country faced problems modernizing the air force and operated out of date Chinese and Russian aircraft. According to a 2014 estimate, Tanzania only has 32 planes divided into 14 fighters, 11 fixed-wing attack aircraft, and 7 transport aircraft.
Statement of the Problem
As the largest nation in the East African region, Tanzania needs a modern and well-equipped air force to complement its navy and the ground forces. Tanzania also has a massive coastline that necessitates the existence of a capable air force. However, technical, human, and financial challenges have led to the deterioration of the air force to the extent that it could be considered operationally non-existent. With just a fleet of 32 aircraft, the air force is a shadow of the force that won the 1978-79 war with Uganda. Unlike other studies that concentrate on training and development, this study will focus on specific problems facing modernization efforts.
Objectives of the Study
The study’s general objective is to investigate the challenges facing the modernization of the Tanzanian air force. Specifically, the study will investigate the technological, human, and financial challenges of modernizing the Air Force Wing, examine, the air force’s future modernization plans, and recommend measures that can be adopted to enhance the Air force Wing’s performance
Literature Review
This chapter will cover introduction, theoretical literature review, the challenges facing equipment modernization in Tanzanian air force, empirical studies, literature gap synthesis, and SWOT review of literature review.
Introduction
The literature review will focus on establishing the problems faced in the modernization of the Tanzanian Air Force. To establish these reasons, theoretical empirical research will be conducted. In particular, the theoretical review will focus on modernization efforts in other jurisdictions with a focus on establishing human, technical, and financial constraints problems faced during modernization.
Theoretical Review: Air Transport in Tanzania
According to a report by IATA, air transport generated approximately $10 billion in Tanzania. More than a decade later, that figure is likely to have risen as the number of passengers and passenger yield increased. Further, an improvement in standards of living in Tanzania has led to a spike in demand for international and domestic flights. Foreign traveling into the country for tourism, business, and leisure has also increased during that period. In 2010, an ITC report singled Precision Air Service as the only national carrier in Tanzania with membership in IATA that allowed it to cooperate with other airlines. Tanzania has started work to revive Tanzania Air which is a state-owned airline.
Theoretical Review: Aircraft Equipment Modernization in the World
Civil aviation is a major contributor to a country’s GDP. Big countries such as the United States which has a mature airline industry with multiple players benefit immensely from their contribution to the economy. According to some estimates, 40 percent of the world trade and more than 700 million tourists use air travel annually. In developing countries such as Tanzania with cheaper airline tickets and rising incomes, demand for air travel has increased. However, despite its size, contribution, and strategic importance to a country, most of the world’s air travel infrastructure is owned by private individuals and companies. According to Park, more than $1.3 trillion is needed to upgrade air travel infrastructure by 2030.
Challenges for Modernization of Equipment for Air Transport in Tanzania
An unpublished World Bank report found that Tanzania has incurred significant losses due to a lack of modernization of the air force. The inadequate funding has precipitated a crisis such that in 2013, TPDF needed $32 million to bail out its air force. Additionally, lack of modernization has led to at least four preventable air accidents since 1999. According to an audit report by Michael, the air force’s liabilities exceed assets by at least $32 million in 2014.
In retrospect, East Africa is a relatively peaceful region and thus there has been no need to rapidly modernize. Further, most African countries do not view security as an integral component of their growth.
Empirical Studies
Several studies have explored air transport infrastructure modernization. Perhaps the most notable study is by Tretheway who explored the challenges facing the modernization of the United States air force. However, his recommendations, although comprehensive, cannot be applied to the Tanzanian air force modernization problem because the problems faced by the US air force are not similar to problems faced by the Tanzanian air force. Another study by a Nigerian researcher known as Robin found out that an underdeveloped airline industry including the air force dampens investor confidence and robs a country of valuable economic benefits.
A study on the Indian airline industry found out that the untrained personnel and use of out-of-date and faulty equipment were responsible for a drop of up to 1.7 percent in air traffic.
Service tax was shown to be a challenge by Charles in his research. He contended that Indian aviation tickets are subject to a 12.36 percent service tax. Third-party services like ticketing, aircraft maintenance, and ground handling, all of which are subject to service tax, are widely used by aviation sector participants, putting Indian operators at a disadvantage in the face of fierce competition. This service tax on plane tickets and on the services acquired by Indian airline operators adds even more to the costs of running an airline in the country, limiting possible plans on modernization and equipment upgrade. However, because this study is based on data from an industrially developed nation (India), it cannot be compared to the Tanzanian case
According to research by Andrew in Egypt, there are some services or obstacles that no airline can avoid. The Egyptian railway system is putting up a stiff fight against air travel thus limiting efforts by air transport investors to upgrade their equipment. Many measures were taken to improve the country’s train service in response to the entrance of low-cost air carriers. Many new trains have been introduced with enhanced service quality, providing customers an excellent alternative to flying. However, overall air passenger traffic is increasing, but this has had a detrimental impact on traffic. Therefore, many air transport service providers are forced to focus on the use of “traditional” equipment rather than upgrading them to their modern form due to lack of funding.
According to a research by the name Peter, there is a fierce rivalry in the aviation business that leaves companies powerless. Botswana airline for example, is forced to lower tickets to compete for market share because of high operational expenses and a price-conscious customer base. This situation has a significant impact on the modernization plans as companies cannot easily raise the required funds to upgrade their air transport equipment.
According to research by Chen in the Democratic Republic of Congo, airline operators and the economy suffer greatly from aircraft delays associated with the use of faulty “traditional” equipment. Delays cost money, time, and missed demand since they dissuade many flying travelers.
Literature Gap Synthesis
According to the literature examined, many challenges have been studied in connection to lack of modernity in air transport equipment in both government-owned and privately-owned airlines. This has also been investigated in the context of both developed and developing nations. However, in the case of TPDF, there has been no research that has discovered the challenges and the road map for equipment modernization. There is therefore a need to perform research on modernizing equipment based on time, technology, and globalization. Such research is important because poor advancement in technology and slow growth in modernization has been associated with the challenges in the modernization of equipment both in TPDF and Tanzania as a country
Literature Review SWOT Analysis: Strengths
The existing literature on the research topic presents various strengths that are integral for the study topic. The literature provides sufficient information on the history of air transport in Tanzania and air transport modernization across the world. Moreover, reviewed literature applies reliable and valid data that is persuasive for the study area. Therefore, the researcher can adopt the data utilized in some of the existing literature to build up on their argument. Moreover, the literature explores various limitations including data collection that could have led to data inaccuracy. Consequently, the researcher could avoid inaccurate data from the reviewed literature.
Literature Review SWOT Analysis: Weaknesses
Although the reviewed literature provided crucial information for the research topic, it eliminated some information that was crucial to the researcher. For instance, the research by Zhang and Yuen discussed various challenges that are beyond avoidance in the aerospace navigation. However, the study fails to give possible mechanisms that can help reduce the impacts of the unavoidable challenges. Moreover, the existing research focuses on the global aircraft industry modernization failing to explore the thematic research area in Tanzania. Consequently, the existing research provides insufficient information on the challenges facing the aircraft industry in Tanzania specifically in Military utilization.
Literature Review SWOT Analysis: Opportunities
The existing weaknesses in the reviewed literature presents an opportunity to the researcher to build on the thematic area. The literature limitation in studying challenges faced by air transport within the military sector makes this study worth pursuing. Moreover, this study aims at proposing measures that TPDF’s Air-force Wing can adopt, making it more significant than the existing literature. Therefore, insufficient research and overgeneralization of the research topic in the existing literature is an opportunity for this study to become persuasive in academic and military contexts.
Literature Review SWOT Analysis: Threats
Although the existing literature provides sufficient information on history and modernization of the airspace transport, the literature is subject to bias. Moreover, the airspace technology is dynamic, experiencing new developments every day. Therefore, the literature fails to explore the latest adopted technology. Consequently, using the information from the existing literature may be insufficient in addressing actual problems faced by the Air-force Wing. Lack of updated information on airspace technology may threaten this study by rendering it inapplicable to the existing challenges facing the TPDF’s Air-force Wing.
Research Design
Data collection, organization and analysis are all aspects of research design that are examined in this study in order to maximize its usefulness. The research employed a case study approach in this study since it allowed for an accurate picture of individuals, events, and situations. The research was carried out using a case study approach. It is a method for gathering and analyzing data within an organization. Data gathering methods might be tailored to the study’s needs under this approach. This design was significant since it allowed for a more in-depth investigation of the issue at hand. This study used mixed methodologies using a combination of quantitative and qualitative data gathering and analysis approaches.
Study Population
A population is defined by Hutchison as a collection of people who share at least one trait of interest to the researcher. The sample is taken from a broader group of people. TPDF officers were included in the study’s population, which was estimated at 1567 in January of 2022.
Sample Design
When conducting research, a sample is a group of people from which information may be drawn and conclusions can be drawn. Sample size should be determined by taking into account the availability of the population, sampling procedures, and financial resources necessary to facilitate a particular study. A total of 100 TPDF officers from various departments were included in this study’s sample. This included approximately 15 employees from each department of information system, flight operation, quality and safety, human resource and training, special flight and engineering in the TPDF Dar es Salaam.
Sample and Sampling Procedures
Sampling is the process of picking a subset of the population such that the subset can be utilized to draw conclusions about the population as a whole. Additionally, Kothari indicates that sampling allows for the generalization of the data obtained to an enormous population. non-probability and probability sampling methods were employed to choose employees. Random sampling and purposive sampling are the examples of this type of sampling that were utilized.
Research Instruments
It is possible to cross-validate information and data from a range of sources by employing more than one approach, according to Afolayan. In order to obtain as much data as possible, the researcher employed a triangulation strategy that relies on information from several sources. As a result, a variety of methods, including document analysis, interviews, questionnaires, and direct observation, were employed.
Data Collection Methods
The study drew on both primary and secondary sources for its findings. There was a specified set of questions and a predetermined technique of recording in the main data, which was a structured interview. A questionnaire was also used because some of the officers’ did not have enough time to participate in an interview. Accordingly, the study relied mostly on reports, profiles, and journals from TPDF’s headquarters and many other publications that offered material to assist the research.
Data Analysis and Presentation
Rather than a quantitative technique, this study employed a qualitative inductive approach to examine the effects of fund control strategy on Tanzania’s efficacy of fund regulation. In thematic analysis, only the most important aspects and cases are recognized. SPSS (Statistical Programs for Social Science) was also used to provide data on the frequency and totals. Statistical charts and graphs such as bar graphs and tables were used to portray the data.
Reliability and Viability Tests
Reliability is a measure of the consistency of test finding. Cronbach’s alpha was used to check the data’s internal consistency and make sure it was reliable. We used a 0.7 Cronbach’s alpha (ά) test cutoff, which Surucu describes as an appropriate test scale.
A study’s validity, according to Saunders (2018), may be determined by looking at whether or not the findings actually pertain to what they purport to. An evaluation of the test’s ability to assess what it is aimed at measuring. A pilot study of 10 respondents from TPDF was done to ensure the validity of the data gathering device. In order to improve the questionnaire, the responses of the respondents were included into the design
Respondents Profile Findings Presentation: Age
Analysis of the respondents’ age shows that 50% of the overall workforce was between the ages of 20 and 29, while 30% were between the ages of 30 and 39. In addition, 10 (10 percent) employees (TPDF personnel) were between the ages of 40 and 49, and 10 (10 percent) were beyond the age of 50.
Table 4.1 shows the demographic characteristics of the respondents for the study. It is clear that the majority of them are energetic and youthful. If they are fully exploited, this age group is the perfect age group to enhance the defense of the country because of their energetic, ambitious and innovative nature.
Respondents Profile Findings Presentation: Education Level
60% of the workforce had a bachelor’s degree, while 20% had a diploma and a further 20% had a master’s degree. This means that a large percentage of those who took part in the survey are well-educated and, as a result, are familiar with the vast majority of the ideas covered in the survey. As a result, questionnaires were the primary data gathering method in the study.
The majority of those surveyed were well-educated, and as a result, their views on the challenges and road map for the TPDF equipment modernization in the aviation sector were mixed. In addition, the level of education of the personnel assured the quality and dependability of the information provided
Respondents Profile Findings Presentation: Working Experience, Role Respondent, & Department
Approximately 40% of the participants in this research had worked for less than three years. A total of 40 people (or 40%) had been employed for at least six years. Finally, there were 10 employees with less than a year of experience who were categorized as “freshers” for their lack of experience.
A total of 30 (30%) personnel were classified as military personnel, while another 30 (30%) were supervisors, as shown in figure 4.3. Additionally, 20 percent of the workforce was made up of staff officers, 10 percent of whom were department heads, and the other 10 percent were section leaders.
The engineering department had 10 workers (10%), while the special flight department had 10 people (10%), according to the study’s findings. In addition, 10 percent of the ground staff, 10 percent of the flight crew, and 10 percent of the information system staff worked on the trip. Additionally, 10 (10%) personnel from the legal department, 10 (10%) from the finance department, and 10 (10%) from the internal audit department were included in the research. In addition, ten percent of the human resources and training staff was participating, as were ten percent of the quality and safety staff as well
Findings, Analysis and Discussion as per Study Objectives: Financial Difficulties
Sixty percent of those surveyed strongly agreed that the government was experiencing financial difficulties in disbursing funds for modernizing the air transport equipment, while 40(40%) agreed. All military personnel surveyed agreed that the department was in a financial crisis resulting in poor strategies in upgrading their equipment. Due to little revenue, the TPDF does not perform frequent repair or modernization, as the study’s findings demonstrate. The culture and mentality of the military personnel towards their equipment has resulted in the poor performance as most of them cannot make good use of the old air transport equipment thus resulting in poor service delivery.
Findings, Analysis and Discussion as per Study Objectives: Poor Infrastructure
50% of workers agreed, 30% were undecided, and 20% strongly agreed with the statement that Tanzania lacks adequate infrastructure. According to the data, 70% of the military engineers agreed with the assertion that bad infrastructure is also a challenge affecting the modernization of air transport in TPDF. According to the study’s conclusions, Tanzania generally suffers from inadequate infrastructure. The quantity and kind of aircraft that may land are often constrained by a lack of adequate infrastructure. Due to inadequate infrastructure, TPDF was only able to land specific types of aircraft in particular locations. For example, despite the short length of the runway in Bukoba, the lack of tarmac meant that planes were unable to land there during the wet season, resulting in flight delays and cancellations
Findings, Analysis and Discussion as per Study Objectives: Lack of Skilled Personnel
On competency 50% of the military personnel surveyed agreed; 30% of personnel strongly agreed; 10% objected; and 10% were impartial on whether the air force had competent personnel. 80% of employees agreed with the statement that the lack of skilled personnel in the technological advancement of equipment was the main reason for challenges in the modernization of equipment in the air transport sector in Tanzania
Findings, Analysis and Discussion as per Study Objectives: High Taxes
50 percent of the study participants agreed with the assertion that high taxes were hampering modernization, 20% undecided, 10% firmly agreed, and 10% disagreed. Sixty percent of employees agreed with the assertion that increased airline taxes in Tanzania, particularly in the TPDF, force most companies to rethink their decisions to modernize aircraft equipment. As a result of rising airline operating taxes, only a small number of companies have chosen to modernize their equipment. In addition, 20% of the employees disagreed with this statement.
Findings, Analysis and Discussion as per Study Objectives: Maintenance Cost
70% of the study participants strongly agreed with the statement that the high modernization cost and maintenance cost contributed to the challenges in modernization; 20% agreed; and 10% were undecided. Ultimately, the study established that 90% of all TPDF officers believe that the expense of modernization of their equipment is a major issue. This indicates that equipment upkeep is a major issue for the TPDF. If it is done at all, it is done inefficiently, thus leading to possible occurrences of accidents.
Findings, Analysis and Discussion as per Study Objectives: Aircraft Equipment Modification
Aircraft engineers were asked to provide their thoughts on whether modification of aircraft equipment would be a strategic plan that the government can invest in when modernizing air transport equipment. 40 percent of all people who participated in the survey agreed, 30% strongly agreed, and 30% disagreed. Ultimately the aircraft engineers agreed that investment by the government in the modification of aircraft equipment would be a strategic investment, with 70% of the workforce agreeing with the assertion.
Proposed Measures to Resolve the Identified Challenges Faced
The majority of the respondents agreed that procuring new and modern equipment will help solve the problems facing TPDF’s Air-Force Wing. Infrastructural development and recruitment of qualified staff were also agreed to by the participants. Meanwhile, three proposed measures were not prioritized by the participants: incentive schemes, salary increases, and good working conditions.
Conclusions
Due to its importance in the growth of the country and the security of the country, there are a number of short-term and long-term challenges related to equipment modernization in the Tanzanian air force that have to be addressed. Government over-taxation and financial constraints have played a major role in creating a wide range of challenges, both directly and indirectly. The rising cost of transportation can be attributed to both the rising price of oil and the rising cost of fuel due to currency instability and excessive taxes which have led to lack of enough funding. Because of these issues, employees have been underpaid, which has led to poor performance and lack of the necessary knowledge and expertise in the field of modernization. Despite the difficulties there are several potentials that have yet to be fully realized, including long- and short-term ones, like terminal development, regional integration, an expanding economy, and expanding industries like tourism and gas and fuel.
Recommendations
The results of the study shows that the government needs to seriously focus on the aviation industry if modernization of the TPDF air force is to be realized. In particular, the government should create an aviation school and protect it from future interference using an act of parliament. Further, there is an urgent need to invest in the human capital in the air force and the airline industry by, for example, offering personnel sponsorship for further studies. The airline industry can also lobby the government to create a conducive environment for investment by repealing laws not friendly to the industry which would encourage growth. Finally, the Tanzanian government should incorporate the aviation sector into the national economic plan like other sectors of the economy.
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