The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has said that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), acquired a total of 64 brand new aircrafts of various types in 2024.
Abubakar, at the opening of the 2024, Nigerian Air Force Training, Operation And Safety Seminar, also said that the Service is expected to take delivery of an additional 38 platforms of various types in 2025.
This, he said was in addition to the two T-129 helicopters and one KA 360i aircraft expected to be delivered before the end of 2024.
The NAF chief while highlighting the importance of the seminar, which he said is perfect for this time of the year when the service is reviewing its operational activities for 2024 and brainstorming on its strategies for deploying airpower to address all threats to national security in the coming year, said the NAF, continuea to carry out its constitutional responsibilities of ensuring the safety of the airspace.
Abubakar, while noting the critical areas of training, operations, and safety as integral and inseparable pillars that collectively underpin NAF’s constitutional mandate and raison d’être as an Air Force, said that the seminar holistically integrates these three distinct yet interdependent domains, for meaningful dialogue and critical introspection.
He said:“Under the leadership of Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian Air Force has witnessed a remarkable renaissance, evident in the renewal of our aircraft fleet and enhanced operational readiness.
“Over the past one year, we have taken delivery of 12 advanced aircraft. These include:two KA-360i aircraft, four DA-62 aircraft, four T-129 helicopters, and two AW-109 Trekker helicopters.
“Before the end of this year, the Service is expecting additional deliveries of two T-129 helicopters and one KA 360i aircraft.
“Next year, the NAF is also set to receive 10 AW-109 Trekker helicopters, 24 M-346FA aircraft, and three CASA – 295 aircraft as well as 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters. This makes a total of 64 brand new aircraft in about three years”.
The NAF Chief while listing the platforms acquired so far, said, “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”.
Abubakar, who assured that the NAF would not relent on the trust reposed on it by President Bola Tinubu, but would continue to consolidate on the operational gains made so far, 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,” he said.
This, according to him, underscored the magnitude of the relentless efforts of personnel in all theatres of operations including OP HADIN KAI, FANSAN YAMMA, DELTA SAFE, SAFE HAVEN, AWA TSE, UDO KA and WHIRL STROKE.
The NAF Chief, who commended officers and and men, as well all the Air Component Commanders for their exceptional leadership and outstanding performance, urged them to leverage the new technologies that come with these platforms to make the ungoverned places smaller, as they extend the long arm of the law, to bring justice to terrorists and insurgents wherever they may be hiding, while simultaneously protecting innocent civilians.
In his address at the occasion, the Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar assured that the federal government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu would continue to support the NAF to attain its full potentials.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, Badaru, while noting that the NAF has made significant strides in air operational activities, commended the service for its emphasis on effective training and manpower development.
The Minister who commended the NAF’s ability to effectively utilize its recently acquired assets and platforms to combat terrorism and restore stability to the nation is a notable accomplishment, said that the seminar’s focus on safety was crucial, as it enables the NAF to maintain a high level of operational tempo while minimizing the risk of accidents and mishaps.
“You may be receiving the best of training but in an unsafe environment. Similarly, you may be conducting your operations to the best of your competence and abilities but under unsafe conditions, which you may not even realise until a mishap occurs.
“And when you trace the source of this mishap, you discover that it may just be one very little thing that you have been neglecting.
“An unsafe environment or condition can potentially set you back many years behind.
“This Seminar is, therefore, crucial in aligning the NAF’s efforts to strengthen safety management practices, ensuring the effective and efficient delivery of air operations”. He said.