Nigeria’s Chief of the Air Staff, CAS, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, has disclosed that 12 new aircraft were procured by the Federal Government for the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, in the last one year.
He disclosed this on Friday during the Air War Course 10/2024 graduation ceremony of the Air Force War College Nigeria in Makurdi.
Air Marshall Abubakar said the newly acquired aircraft were deployed to service between September 2023 and September 2024.
He added that the NAF was expecting to take delivery of more aircraft in the coming months.
“In line with the Federal Government’s resolve to adequately equip the Nigerian Air Force for the safe conduct of training and agile airpower employment to meet the nation’s security challenges, it is indeed gladdening to note that, between the last Air War Course graduation in September last year and today, we have taken delivery of 12 new platforms.
“These include four Diamond 62 surveillance aircraft; two King Air 360 light transport aircraft, 4 x T-129 ATAK helicopters and 2 x Agusta Westland 109 Trekker.
“Moving forward, the NAF is poised to take delivery of 24 x M-346 fighter aircraft6 and 10 additional Agusta Westland 109 Trekker helicopters from Italy.
“Others are 3 x CASA 295 transport aircraft from Spain and 12 x AH-1Z Vipper helicopters from the United States,” he said.