The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, disclosed that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has been bolstered with 45 additional aircraft in the last half-year. This announcement was made during his visit to the North-West theatre of operations in Katsina, where he spent time with frontline troops of the air component of Operation Hadarin Daji and 213 Forward Operating Base.
During his visit, Abubakar emphasized that the newly deployed aircraft include four-diamond, 62 multipurpose aircraft, two T129 attack helicopters, and one Beechcraft 360 aircraft. Furthermore, he outlined pending acquisitions, which encompass 2 Kasa 295 medium airlift surveillance aircraft, 12 AH10 attack helicopters, and 24 M346 attack aircraft.
Highlighting the government’s unwavering commitment to reinforcing the NAF, Abubakar stressed that these acquisitions are a clear demonstration of prioritizing the equipping of the Nigerian Air Force to effectively tackle security challenges and ensure seamless training operations.
Expressing his admiration for the efforts of the troops in the region, he paid tribute to the fallen heroes who have bravely sacrificed their lives in defense of the nation, while assuring continued provision of logistical and all necessary support to guarantee the success of their operations.
This significant development underscores Nigeria’s dedication to fortifying its military capabilities and addressing security concerns, signifying a pivotal step forward in safeguarding the nation’s airspace and protecting its citizens.