The Ministry of Defence is situated in Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi. The Ministry is carrying out a number of programmes in order to achieve its vision, mission and objectives. On this page you can also see details on the Ministry's Achievements.

1. “ To maintain a healthy, well trained, equipped, disciplined and gender sensitive ready force and of a size that is sustainable”.
   The thrust of this objective is to ensure that Malawi has a military force capable of safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country and that peace and tranquility prevails at all times. This will provide a conducive environment for social/economic development and political stability.
   
   
2. “To develop and manage defense policies, strategic plans and legal instruments”.
   The main focus of this objective is to provide an effective and efficient Defense management system by providing proper government direction on policy, strategic plans and legal instruments in conformity with the Constitution of Malawi.
   This objective also aims at providing effective strategic planning and management of required resources taking into consideration the constraints of the economy. The effective management of change in response to the new political dispensation will also be achieved under this objective.
   
   
3. “To develop and promote civil/military relations”.
   This objective intends to develop and promote a better understanding of the roles of the military and civil authorities in democratic Defense governance. This will lead to enhancement of a good relationship between civil authority and the military.
   
   
4. “To provide military assistance to civil authorities in times of emergencies”.
   The purpose of this objective is for the military to assist civilian authorities through provision of technical expertise and resources to maintain essential services in times of emergencies and natural disasters.
   
   
5. “To support Civil Police in the maintenance of law and order”.
   The Defense Force, when called upon, will assist the police in the restoration of law and order, within the confines of the Constitution.
   
   
6. "To promote regional peace and international order”.
   The Ministry of Defense will participate in regional and international peace support operations under the auspices of SADC, OAU and UN, according to the co-operation agreements and treaties Malawi has entered into.

• Visit to Malawi by Minister for British Armed Forces

Hon. Adam Ingram, Minister for the British Armed Forces visited Malawi from 15 to 16 February 2005.  His visit was to reinforce the growing defense relationship between Malawi and Britain.  This was the first visit by a British Minister of the Armed Forces and showed the increasing importance to the United Kingdom as a defense partner.

• Defense Force Act

The Malawi Defense Force Act came into operation on 1 September 2004 following the notice of commencement by His Excellency the President.

• Transfer of Police Ecureil Helicopter

The ownership of Ecureil Helicopter was transferred from the Malawi Police Service to the Malawi Defense Force, following consultations between the two parties.

• Radio Communication Equipment

The Malawi Government signed a contract for the supply of communications equipment o the Malawi Defense Force. The equipment has been fully supplied and demonstration has been done.

• Symposium on the development of the Malawi Army Air Wing

Following a courtesy call by the French Ambassador to Malawi to the Secretary for Defense in August 2004, where a number of issues were discussed on the continued support and assistance to the Malawi Government in various fields especially the Air Wing and the Development of a proposal to be submitted to the European Union (EU) in order for Malawi to benefit from the EU initiative assistance in peace-keeping operations in Africa, a symposium was held in February 2005 on the development of the Malawi Army Airing which was held at Capital Hotel where the way forward was mapped out.

• Construction of Houses at Mvera Support Battalion

60 houses for warrant officers and soldiers have been constructed and completed under Mvera Support Battalion Housing Construction Project.

• Malawi Institute of Management Training Programme

Under the Malawi Institute of Management/University of Derby Strategic Planning Management Program, a total of seven (7) soldiers have completed their Masters Degrees.