July 23, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced the arrival on Thursday afternoon, at Aminu Kano International Airport, the first batch of A-29 Super Tucano aircraft ordered since 2018.
THEWILL reports that the Director of NAF Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, had on July 15, 2021, said the anticipated aircraft had left the United States en route Nigeria.
He had said the six aircraft would be leapfrogged through five countries including Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Spain and Algeria before arriving at their final destination in Nigeria towards the end of July 2021.
He said an official induction ceremony of the aircraft into the inventory of the Nigerian Air Force is already being planned at a later date in August 2021 and will be announced in due course.
The Federal Government had in 2018 paid $462 million for 12 Tucanos and other weapons.
The payment covers Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) systems for six of the aircraft.
The fighter jets are said to have Paveway II guided bombs, laser-guided rockets, 12.7 mm ammunition, unguided bombs and infrared sensors.
The contract also provided for ground training equipment, mission planning systems, mission debrief systems, spares, ground support equipment and support services.
The over 100 Nigerian air pilots and crew men are said to be in the United States training on the aircraft.
However, the terse statement signed by Gabkwet, on Thursday, said, “On hand to receive the aircraft were the Honourable Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (Rtd), Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao.”
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