Aleke Aleke in Abuja
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, yesterday said that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), acquired no fewer than 64 brand new aircrafts of various types in three years.
Abubakar also revealed that the Service is expected to take delivery of another set of 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 this year.
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The CAS made this disclosure while welcoming guests and participants to the Nigerian Air Force Training, Operation And Safety Seminar 2024, at NAF Conference Centre and Suites, Kado, Abuja.
He noted that the seminar is perfect for this time of the year as the service reviews its operational activities for 2024 and refine its strategies for deploying airpower to address all threats to national security in the coming year.
Observing that training, operations, and safety are integral and inseparable pillars that collectively underpin NAF’s constitutional mandate and raison d’être as an Air Force, the CAS said that the seminar holistically integrates these three distinct yet interdependent domains, for meaningful dialogue and critical introspection.
According to him, “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”.
Giving further details of the acquired platforms, the CAS said, “That’s not all. 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”.
He assured that the Service will not relent on the trust reposed on it by Mr President but continue to consolidate on the operational gains made so far.
“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, he averred 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.
Applauding all the Air Component Commanders for their exceptional leadership and outstanding performance, Abubakar tasked 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 keynote address at the seminar, the Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar assured that the federal government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu will continue to support the NAF to attain its full potentials.
He stated that the Nigerian Air Force has indeed made significant strides in air operational activities, thanks to its emphasis on effective training and manpower development.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, the Minister averred that 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.
Abubakar 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.
Pointing out the need for safety when carrying out operational activities, the Minister said that safety is what binds operations and training together.
According to him, “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”.
The theme for the seminar is “Agile and Resilient Air Power for National Security: Enhancing Safety and Optimizing NAF Air Operations to Combat Emerging Threats”.
