A GROUP of 160 Zambian soldiers, 130 infantrymen and 30 air force members, arrived in Johannesburg on Sunday to take part in a Southern African Development Community military training programme. Speaking during a sending off ceremony at Lusaka’s International airport on Sunday, South African High Commission military adviser to Zambia Colonel Barney Links said it is important for the region to embark on peacekeeping exercises due to escalating armed conflicts in some parts of Southern Africa. He said the exercise is being funded by SADC with the help of American, Belgian and Italian governments. SADC chairman Nelson Mandela announced last month that a SADC intervention force will be established in the region to assist in stabilising trouble spots.