NAF to procure new 50 aircraft, vows to step up counter-insurgency operations

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says all arrangements have been made to take delivery of 50 brand new aircraft between December this year and 2026.

It also vowed that despite achieving successes in ensuring adversaries wreaking havoc in different zones of the country were being taken out every day, air troops would still step up their operations.

The Chief of Air Staff, Hasan Abubakar, disclosed this yesterday at NAF headquarters, Abuja when he met with branch chiefs, air commanding officers and commanders to review the activities of the force.

The force had a few months ago taken into its inventory some aircraft including fighter jets and Super Tucano.

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Speaking before the meeting went into closed-door, the air chief explained that the development became imperative in order to sustain the already expanded counter-insurgency operation in the North West.

“Over the past year, we have successfully inducted 12 aircraft into our inventory, and God willing, we shall take delivery of 50 brand new aircraft between December this year and 2026.

“This is a remarkable achievement that we have not witnessed in a very long time. Indeed, these are exciting times that demand innovative thinking, resilience and dedication.

“I am confident that under your leadership, the men and women under your command will rise to the occasion and excel in all tasks set before them,” Abubakar, an air marshal, said.

He revealed that a number of resolutions and recommendations after the same meeting was held in June, had been implemented.

According to him, these include the establishment of two new staff branches – the Civil Military Relations Branch and NAF Transformation and Innovation Branch.

Abubakar added, “Over the past few months, we have also seen progress in several key areas. Our air operations, particularly the expanded counterinsurgency in the North West region as well as anti-oil theft operations in the South-South have yielded significant results.

“This meeting could not have come at a better time, to offer us the opportunity to critically review our progress, address our shortcomings, recalibrate our strategies and strengthen our unity of purpose towards achieving the desired objectives.

“I have deliberately approved two days for this meeting to enable in-depth discussions that would lead to far-reaching resolutions to move the Nigerian Air Force forward.”