The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is to receive 51 additional platforms to boost counter-insurgency and counterterrorism operations in the country.
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Vice Marshal Hasan Abubakar, disclosed this while addressing NAF personnel during his maiden operational tour of NAF units in Makurdi, Benue State.
Abubakar, in a statement by NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said acquisition of the platforms demonstrates the “Federal Government’s deep commitment to equipping the NAF for the safe conduct of training and agile airpower employment to meet the nation’s security challenges.”
He said acquisition of the platforms would bolster training, air power employment and projection.
The platforms being expected, according to the CAS, include Agusta 109 Trekker Multi-role helicopters, 2 Beechcraft King Air 360, 3 Diamond DA-62 surveillance aircraft and 6 T-129 ATAK helicopters, 2 CASA -295 medium airlift/surveillance aircraft, 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters and 24 M-346 attack aircraft.
The CAS said that the NAF would continue to enhance cooperation and jointness as part of a whole-of-nation approach to quickly resolving the security challenges bedeviling the country.
He noted that the successes so far recorded against terrorists, bandits and other criminals in the country were largely due to the renewed cooperation and ‘jointness’ between the services and other security agencies, hence must be enhanced and sustained.
“While the NAF augments its airpower measures and approaches, it will also continue to promote seamless interoperability of equipment and joint force employment by the various services,” he said.
He enjoined the personnel to cooperate with other services and security agencies to meet the high expectations of Nigerians in the Armed Forces as well as restore peace and security and ensure a safe and prosperous nation.
The CAS assured the personnel of his commitment to proactively address maintenance and logistics support for all NAF fleet to ensure it surpasses the current average serviceability of over 78 per cent.
He also assured them of prompt payment of all entitlements and promised to look into the issue of uniforms and other accouterments.
The CAS promised to solve the problems of poor electricity and water supply as well as dilapidated accommodation and road infrastructure on all NAF bases.
