NAF Expects Delivery of 27 Fighter Jets, Attack Helicopters, others to Boost Fight against Terrorism- Amao
The Chief of the Air Staff, (CAS) Air Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao, said the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) was expecting the delivery of additional new platforms, which President Muhammadu Buhari approved for the service.
Amao, who made this known during an operational visit to the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Safety and 209 Quick Response Group, Ipetu-Ijesa, Osun State, added that the NAF had effectively operationalised the usage of new and modern platform in the battlefield.
He mentioned the expected air assets to include: Two Beechcraft King Air 360, four Diamond DA-62 surveillance aircraft, three Wing Loong II UCAVs and 6 T-129 attack helicopters.
He stated further that there were ongoing acquisitions of 12 Agusta 109 Trekker multi-role helicopters and 24 M-346 attack aircraft.
According to him, some of the additional platforms are expected to be delivered to the NAF before the end of first quarter 2023, stressing that this would further boost NAF’s air power employment and projection capabilities as well as air combat training.
Air Marshal Amao, explained that the new and modern air assets were instrumental to the successful bombing campaign against terrorists and insurgents.
He attributed the successes so far 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).
He insisted that the Nigerian military was winning the war against terrorism in the country, with the aid of these modern platforms.
He revealed that “more still needed to be done to completely decimate and flush out the remnants of terrorists still preying on soft targets”.
He also cautioned that being complacent at this point would be harmful to ongoing operations and urged for more focus, vigilance and caution.
Speaking on the upcoming general election, 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,” the Airforce Chief added.
He further charged the NAF personnel to remember that as custodians of Nigeria’s constitution, they must ensure that public perception of the NAF and the Armed Forces of Nigeria remained positive and unblemished.
The Chief of the Air Staff was accompanied by the Air Officers Commanding Special Operations Command, Air Training Command, some Branch Chiefs and Directors from Headquarters NAF.
