Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar are at the moment in Turkey to facilitate the speedy delivery of T-129 ATAK helicopters to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
The Federal Government procured six items of T-129 ATAK helicopters from the Turkish Aerospace Industry, out of which two are to be delivered to NAF within the coming weeks.
The remaining 4 helicopters are anticipated to be delivered earlier than the tip of the second quarter of 2024.
Director, Public Relations and Information at NAF, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, made these recognized in an announcement he issued on Sunday in Abuja.
He acknowledged that the minister earlier held talks together with his Turkish counterpart, retired Lt.-Gen Yasar Guler, on vital bilateral and defence cooperation points as half of programmes lined up for the go to.
Gabkwet added that retired Gen. Guler had promised Nigeria each help required from the Turkish army and defence firms to strengthen and speed up the defeat of terrorism and different felony challenges.
He additionally acknowledged that Badaru and Abubakar visited chosen Turkish firms, together with Turkish Aerospace Industries, MKE, Aselsan and Roketsan within the quest for collaboration.
“These firms are among the many highly-rated world defence firms famend for producing high quality defence and army tools.
“While at these firms, the minister of defence referred to as for improved synergy between the businesses and Nigeria by means of the switch of defence know-how to Nigeria,’’ Gabwat acknowledged.
