Susuwe Airport

Military and political transition. The airport was a South African Defence Force (SADF) airbase. It did not 'close' in the sense of being abandoned, but rather ceased its function as an SADF facility following the end of the South African Border War and the subsequent independence of Namibia in 1990. Control was transferred to the newly formed Namibian Defence Force (NDF).

The site is an active and restricted military installation operated by the Namibian Defence Force (NDF). It is known as the NDF's 263 Battalion Base. The original runway and airfield infrastructure are maintained and remain operational for military use. The facility is strictly closed to all civilian and public air traffic. The ICAO identifier 'NA-0163' is an unofficial code, likely originating from non-official sources or flight simulator databases, as the site is not a registered civilian airport.

Susuwe Air Base was a strategically critical forward operating base for the South African Air Force (SAAF) during the South African Border War (1966-1990). Located deep within the Caprivi Strip (now Zambezi Region), it was vital for projecting air power and supporting ground troop operations against the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN), the armed wing of SWAPO. The base handled a variety of military aircraft, including Impala Mk II jets for ground attack, C-47 Dakota and C-160 Transall transport aircraft for logistics and paratrooping, and Alouette III and Puma helicopters for troop transport, reconnaissance, and casualty evacuation. Its location allowed for rapid response to incursions and supported operations in the region and southern Angola.

There are no known plans or public prospects for reopening the airfield to civilian or commercial traffic. Its ongoing function as a strategic military base for the Namibian Defence Force makes any conversion to civilian use highly unlikely in the foreseeable future.