The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has taken delivery of 12 aircrafts in the past 12 months.
These include two KA-360i aircraft, four DA-62 aircraft, four T-129 helicopters, and two AW-109 Trekker helicopters.
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, announced this on Wednesday at this year’s Training Operations and Safety Seminar, in Abuja.
Air Marshal Abubakar said the NAF is also expecting additional deliveries of three aircrafts, comprising two T-129 helicopters and one KA 360i aircraft, before the end of this year.
According to the NAF’s boss, with these deliveries the force had received a total of 64 brand new aircraft in about three years.
He said: “Next year, the NAF is also set to receive 10 x AW-109 Trekker helicopters, 24 x M-346FA aircraft, and 3 x CASA – 295 aircraft as well as 12 x AH-1Z attack helicopters.
“That is not all. In addition to these new acquisitions, we have also procured 12 pre-owned A-Jet aircraft from the French Air Force through SOFEMA. While all 12 aircraft are ready for shipping, it is anticipated that six will be restored to operable status, with the remaining six used as spares to support the Alpha Jet fleet.
“It is therefore no exaggeration to state that the Nigerian Air Force is experiencing a golden era under the current administration.
“It is a fact that under the leadership of His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigerian Air Force has witnessed a remarkable renaissance, evident in the renewal of our aircraft fleet and enhanced operational readiness.”
Air Marshal Abubakar assured that he and his team would continue to uphold the trust reposed on them by the President, and continue to consolidate on the operational gains made by the NAF so far.
He said: “Indeed, a review of our key performance indicators shows that, between June 2023 and September 2024, the Nigerian Air Force conducted 8,665 missions in 9,928 sorties within 15,915 flying hours. This underscores the magnitude of the relentless efforts of our personnel in all theatres of operations including Operation Hadin Kai, Fansan Yamma, Delta Safe, Safe Haven, Awa Tse, Udo Ka and Whirl Stroke.”
The CAS hailed Air Component Commanders for their “exceptional leadership and outstanding performance,” and charged them to build on the successes and strive for greater excellence, “particularly with the anticipated induction of new platforms in the coming weeks and months.”
He also charged them to leverage the new technologies that come with the platforms “to make the ungoverned places smaller, as you extend the long arm of the law, to bring justice to terrorists and insurgents wherever they may be hiding, while simultaneously protecting innocent civilians.”
The NAF’s boss noted the significance of building trust among the populace to the success of operations, hence “under my leadership, the NAF has instituted robust measures to uphold the highest standards of human rights, reaffirming our unwavering commitment to protecting and serving the nation.”
He said: “Some of these protective measures include strict adherence to the Air Targeting Cycle and Use of Precision-guided Munitions.
“Additionally, we have continued to work with international stakeholders like the United States Air Force and British Military Advisory and training team (BMATT) to introduce new tactics, techniques and procedures for improved air/ground integration.
“Furthermore, I recently gave my approval for a committee of officers to draw up the Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response-Action Plan to improve our capacity to manage and mitigate civilian harm resulting from air operations.”
