BEVERLY HILLS, May 28, (THEWILL) – As part of its oversight functions, the National Assembly (NASS) Joint Committee on Defence and Air Force, is currently in the United States of America (USA) on an inspection tour of the Embraer Defence Security Incorporated (EDSI), manufacturers of the long-expected Nigerian Air Force (NAF) A-29 Super Tucano aircraft.
Specifically, members of the joint committee are in the USA to assess the status and progress of work on the NAF A-29 Super Tucano aircraft.
A statement issued Thursday, signed by Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, stated that, on arrival at EDSI on 27 May 2021, the NASS team, led by Senator Michael Nnachi, was briefed on the progress of work on the NAF A-29 Super Tucano programme and the scheduled date of delivery.
The statement, made available to THEWILL, further stated that, while briefing the NASS team, Colonel Arthur Ford of the United States Air Force Fighters and Advance Aircraft Directorate disclosed that 10 out of the 12 aircraft were ready for delivery, while two were undergoing modification and integration to NAF specific operational configuration.
He went on to state that six of the aircraft were scheduled to arrive Nigeria in July 2021 while the remaining six would be delivered before the end of October.
The NASS team was assured that the aircraft, expected to play critical roles in the fight against insurgency and criminality, would be delivered as planned.
Responding, Senator Michael Nnachi commended EDSI for the quality of work on the NAF A-29 Super Tucano.
He however queried the long duration of time from the date of full payment to expected date of delivery, which he estimated to be between three to four years.
In response, Ford informed the team that the long duration was due to the challenges of configuring the aircraft to fit NAF’s required specifications.
The visiting team, which also included Honourables Babajimi Benson, Shehu Koko, Abubakar Maki and Abass Adigun, were received on arrival at Jacksonville, Florida by the Nigerian Defence Attaché to the USA, Air Commodore Jibrin Usman, the Lead Foreign Liaison Officer on the A-29, Air Vice Marshal Sule Lawal, and senior management staff of EDSI.
About the Author
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
