NAF To Get 51 More Aircraft To Boost Anti-terror War, Others

Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is expected to take delivery of 51 aircraft procured by the federal government to boost its operations.

The chief of the air staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar disclosed this during his remarks at the graduation of 15 participants of Air War College (AWC) Course 9/2023 held in Makurdi, Benue State.

The CAS stated that the graduation of the participants was a major stride in human capacity development in the Service, which is critical to the fulfilment of NAF’s constitutional mandate.

Abubakar, in a statement by the director of public relations and information, Air Cdre Edward Gabkwet noted that the NAF would be inducting additional platforms before the end of the year to boost training, air power employment and projection.

He listed the platforms to include; two Agusta 109 Trekker Multi-role helicopters, two Beechcraft King Air 360, three Diamond DA-62 surveillance aircraft and six T-129 ATAK helicopters.

Other pending acquisitions according to the CAS include two CASA 295 medium airlift/surveillance aircraft, 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters and 24 M-346 attack aircraft.

He said the acquisitions demonstrate the government’s deep commitment to equipping the NAF for the safe conduct of training and agile airpower employment to meet the nation’s security challenges.

He commended the unwavering support of the federal government under the amiable leadership of President Bola Tinubu in equipment procurement and training, which has enabled the NAF to maintain consistency in conducting operations to curtail contemporary threats.

The CAS also re-echoed the importance that institutions like the AWC play in enhancing jointness and synergy in ongoing operations.

He said, “Institutions like the AWC and other Services War Colleges must continue to produce officers whose understanding and beliefs in joint operations would guide the AFN towards efficient use of available military resources.”

In his remarks, the minister of defence, Dr Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, commended the formidability of air power projected by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), as a decisive and indispensable aspect of the physical component of combat power critical to the preservation of Nigeria’s territorial integrity.