January 22, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has said it is expecting the delivery of additional new platforms, which President Muhammadu Buhari has approved for the Service before the end of the first quarter of 2023.
Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, disclosed this during an operational visit to the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Safety and 209 Quick Response Group, Ipetu-Ijesa, Osun State, on Saturday.
A statement issued by the NAF Spokesperson, Air Commodore WAP Maigida, said the air assets being expected include 2 Beechcraft King Air 360, 4 Diamond DA-62 surveillance aircraft, 3 Wing Loong II UCAVs and 6 T-129 ATAK helicopters.
Amao said there are ongoing acquisitions of 12 Agusta 109 Trekker multi-role helicopters and 24 M-346 attack aircraft.
According to the Air Chief, the additional assets would further boost NAF’s air power employment and projection capabilities as well as air combat training.
He also said the Nigerian military is winning the war against terrorism with the aid of new modem platforms deployed by the NAF in various theatres of operation.
Amao attributed recent successes recorded by the NAF in the theatres of operation to the newly acquired JF-17 Thunder aircraft, A-29 Super Tucano aircraft and the Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAV).
“These new and modern air assets are instrumental in the feats being recorded against terrorists and insurgents,” he said, adding that the NAF has operationalised the usage of all the new and modern platforms towards tackling terrorism and insurgency in the country.
On the upcoming general elections, the CAS urged NAF personnel to remain apolitical but only exercise their legal franchise, which is the constitutional right to vote for any candidate of their choice.
“We must continue to maintain our integrity and neutrality as a Service,” he said.
The CAS was accompanied by the Air Officers Commanding Special Operations Command, Air Training Command, some Branch Chiefs and Directors from NAF Headquarters.
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