NAF ‘to take delivery’ of more fighter aircrafts by December

Oladayo Amao, chief of air staff, says the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) will take delivery of more fighter helicopters before the end of December.

While speaking on Thursday at the NAF operation seminar held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom capital, Amao said the aircrafts would boost Nigerian air power employment and projection capabilities as well as air combat training.

He said that the new delivery would be in addition to the already acquired 38 new aircraft since 2015.

Amao listed the aircraft being expected to include: two Agusta 109 Trekker multi-role helicopters, two Beechcraft King Air 360, four Diamond DA-62 surveillance aircraft, three Wing Loong II UCAVs and six T-129 ATAK helicopters.

Others include two CASA-295 medium airlift/surveillance aircraft, 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters and 24 M-346 attack aircraft.

“Under Mr President’s able leadership, the Federal Government has, since 2015, acquired 38 new aircraft to boost training and combat readiness of the NAF,” he said.

“A few of these additional platforms are expected to be delivered to the Nigerian Air Force in December 2022 while others are to be delivered with effect from 2023.”

The air chief also said that NAF operatives had neutralised the activities of terrorists in the country through intensive air interdiction of their locations and facilities.

According to him, the persistent strikes by NAF have not only degraded the resources of the terrorists but have disrupted their supply lines and denied them their freedom of movement.

Amao also congratulated the newly-winged young pilots and urged them to be prepared for the arduous task ahead in their operational environment.

NAF had in 2021 taken delivery of 12 A-29 Super Tucano fighter jets from the United States.