Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao, has said that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is expecting delivery of 27 fighter jets, attack helicopters, and some Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) before the end of the first quarter of 2023.
Amao disclosed this during an operational visit to the Nigerian Air Force Institute of Safety and 209 Quick Response Group, Ipetu-Ijesa, Osun State on Saturday.
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According to him, the hardwares which will be used to continue the fight against terrorism was approved by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The expected air assets include: Two Beechcraft King Air 360, four Diamond DA-62 surveillance aircraft, three Wing Loong II UCAVs and 6 T-129 attack helicopters.
He further disclosed that there were ongoing acquisitions of 12 Agusta 109 Trekker multi-role helicopters and 24 M-346 attack aircraft.
He added that some of the additional platforms are expected to be delivered to the NAF before the end of first quarter 2023.
This, he said, would further boost NAF’s air power employment and projection capabilities as well as air combat training.
He said the new and modern air assets were instrumental to the successful bombing campaign against terrorists and insurgents.
Air Marshal Amao, attributed the successes recorded by the NAF in the theatres of operation to the newly acquired JF-17 Thunder aircraft, A-29 Super Tucano aircraft and UCAVs.
He maintained that the Nigerian military was winning the war against terrorism in the country, with the aid of these modem platforms.
He emphasised that “more still needed to be done to completely decimate and flush out the remnants of terrorists still preying on soft targets”.
He, however, warned that being complacent at this point would be harmful to ongoing operations and called for more focus, vigilance and caution.
Commenting on the upcoming general election, the CAS urged NAF personnel to remain apolitical but only exercise their legal franchise, which is the constitutional right to vote for any candidate of their choice.
“We must continue to maintain our integrity and neutrality as a Service,” the CAS added.
He further urged NAF personnel to remember that as custodians of Nigeria’s constitution, they must ensure that public perception of the NAF and the Armed Forces of Nigeria remained positive and unblemished.
The CAS was accompanied by the Air Officers Commanding Special Operations Command, Air Training Command, some Branch Chiefs and Directors from Headquarters NAF.