By Linus Aleke
Like cancer which requires a combination of treatments, including surgical procedure after proper diagnosis, with chemotherapy being prioritized in the scale of preference list of treatments, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, said that air power has emerged as the means of choice in tackling multiple security threats, due to its unique characteristics of speed, lethality, and ubiquity.
This, he also said, is not unconnected with the frightening reality that Sub-Saharan Africa, faces a multitude of national security challenges, including violent extremism, terrorism, and insurgency, hence the need to prioritize air power in tackling the identified threats.
Air Marshal Abubakar said this, while, addressing military audience with no fewer than 20 Air Chiefs, from across the Africa and over 35 Air Forces represented, in addition to former Chiefs of Air Staff in Nigeria, at the third Air Forces Forum, Conference and Exhibition, organized to mark the Nigerian Air Force Sixtieth Anniversary Celebration, in Abuja.
He said: “It is widely acknowledged that Sub-Saharan Africa faces a multitude of national security challenges, including violent extremism, terrorism, and insurgency. In addressing these threats, air power has emerged as the means of choice due to its unique characteristics of speed, lethality, and ubiquity. Therefore, this gathering of African Air Chiefs could not have come at a better time than now when the yearning for collaboration towards peace and stability on the continent is at its peak. Accordingly, the all-important issue of partnership in aerospace innovation to sustain our air power capabilities, to protect and advance our Defence and Security interests would form the crux of our discussions in the Third African Air Forces Forum”.
It is however, necessary at this juncture to discuss briefly, the features that made air power a means of choice in tackling multitude of security threats, if I should borrow the words of Air Marshal Abubakar. They are speed, lethality, and ubiquity. Like eagle, the speed of modern air platforms is like the speed of light, therefore, the targeted enemies have no hiding place, once identified. On the other hand, the lethality is also better imagined than experienced. Reason it is referred to as weapon of mass destruction. It has further pushed the era of sword, bows and arrows to antiquity. And finally ubiquity, the military aircraft though very expensive to procure or even manufacture for countries that have the technological abilities like US and China, it is relatively common in contemporary times.
Furthermore, it is on the premise of the above discussed characteristics that Sir Winston Churchill, the British war time Prime Minister, said that the power of an air force is terrific when there is nothing to oppose it.
Noting that air power is the most difficult of military force to measure or even express in precise terms, Churchill, concluded that Air power may either end war or end civilization”. Further validating Air Marshal Abubakar’s propositions on the potency of air power in tackling multiple threats, Major Alexander P. de Seversky, USAAF, said that only air power can defeat air power. “The actual elimination or even stalemating of an attacking air force can be achieved only by a superior air force,” he said. Also giving credence to the above propositions, Col Gene Cirillo, USAF (Ret), said, “the US Army will never control the ground under the sky, if the US Air Force does not control the sky over the ground”.
The immediate past Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, said that lessons learnt by the Armed Forces of Nigeria from recent and ongoing operations across the country has further confirmed the dynamism of air power employment as critical to operational successes as well as meeting the safety and security aspirations of all Nigerians.
Amao, said this on 27 September 2022, when he officially commissioned the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Air Warfare Centre and inaugurated its first course on basic air power for young officers.
Air Marshal Amao also noted that air power has become a key determinant of operational effectiveness, as well as a force multiplier in all ongoing operations in the country. The former CAS also averred that the reactivation of the Air Warfare Centre perfectly aligns with his Vision for the Nigerian Air Force, tailored towards, “enhancing and sustaining critical air power capabilities required for joint force employment in pursuit of national security imperatives”.
On the third African Air Forces Forum, organized as part of activities to mark the Sixtieth Anniversary of the Nigerian Air Force, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, explained that the forum is a regional platform for advancing air force capabilities and building pillars of bilateral and multilateral partnerships amongst the air forces of African countries. The Forum, he added, offers a unique opportunity for air forces to showcase their technological innovations that contribute to enhance Africa’s aerial defence and security capabilities.
“For this year’s symposium, the theme: “Leveraging Strategic Partnerships in Aerospace Innovations for Regional Security,” was carefully coined to reflect a critical aspect of our collective efforts in securing our respective countries and by extension, the African Continent. Judging by the selected topics for discussion and the impressive array of experts assembled here as resource persons, I am highly optimistic that this year’s conference and exhibition will be both engaging and illuminating. It promises to facilitate the cross-fertilization of ideas and the introduction of the latest aerospace and defence systems and technologies, all in support of our collective efforts to provide enduring solutions to Africa’s security challenges.
“In addition to high-level discussions addressing pressing challenges in the sector through keynote speeches, technical presentations, and panel discussions, the event will feature an international exhibition and live demonstrations showcasing the latest materials, systems, and technologies in the aerospace and defence sector,” he said.
He noted that the 3rd African Air Forces Forum promises to be a truly memorable and exhilarating experience, stressing that ‘this gathering will undoubtedly deepen our friendships across Africa and around the globe. The CAS tasked the participants to seize the opportunity to forge stronger bonds and develop partnerships that will not only enhance their individual air forces but will also contribute to a safer and more prosperous Africa. He posited that by working together, they can overcome the challenges that lie ahead and build a future where peace and security are the cornerstones of the continent.
Declaring the forum open, the Special Guest of Honour and Minister of Defence, Mr. Muhammed Badaru, said, the Nigerian Air Force has come a long way, having developed from inception in 1964 into a force to recon with in african continent and the world at large. He also noted that Nigeria and countries around the globe are currently undergoing turbulent times with regard to security.
According to him, “The Air Force has made significant contributions to the joint effort in countering terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and several other criminal activities that threaten our corporate existence. I am therefore pleased to state that a lot has been achieved in the internal security operation in the country where the excesses of criminal elements are being curtailed”.
On the anniversary celebration, “In China, 60 is a magic number and 60 years means a complete cycle, a perfect ending as well as a fresh beginning,” Lt Gen. Jia Zhigang, Deputy Commander of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, Air Force, said in his goodwill message.
According to him, “On this day of joy and significance, on behalf of General Chang Dingqiu, commander of PLA Air Force, please allow me to extend my sincere greetings to the forum and Nigerian Air Force. I wish Nigerian Air Force grow and flourish with constant development and endless glories. I also wish the third African Air forces forum a complete success that will bring us fruitful results”.
He noted that in recent years, with China Africa Cooperation Forum and the Belt and Roads Cooperation mechanism, China and Africa have built an all round, multilevel and three dimensional framework for cooperation. Lt Gen. Zhigang, recalled that at the Bandung conference held in Indonesia in April 1955, leaders of China and African countries shook hands for the very first time.
“This handshake came over high mountains and vast sea and marked the beginning of our cross continental friendship. Similarities in history draw China and African countries close in a fight against imperialism, colonialism and racism. We support each other with deep empathy and great respect. A strong friendship is formed in our coordination and cooperation in regional and international affairs and we have jointly forged the spirit of China Africa Friendship and cooperation which features sincere friendship and equality, win win for mutual benefit and common development. Fairness and justice and progress with the times and openness and inclusiveness, as well as embarked on a win win path of China Africa cooperation with distinctive characteristics,” he further said.
Interestingly, it is on strength of the above expressed views on the potency and lethality of air power when employed anywhere in the world that the writer modestly concludes with a thunderous congratulations to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), on its 60th anniversary celebration.
