The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has taken delivery of 12 aircraft this year thereby bringing the total number of aircraft acquired in the last three years to 64.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar disclosed this at the Nigerian Air Force training and safety seminar for the year 2024 with the theme “Agile and Resilient Air Power for National Security: Enhancing Safety and Optimizing NAF Air Operations to Combat Emerging Threats”.
The NAF also decorated 28 new pilots with their flying wings.
He said NAF between June 2023 and September 2024, conducted 8,665 missions in 9,928 sorties within 15,915 flying hours.
He listed the 12 advanced aircraft received in the year to include two KA-360i aircraft, four DA-62 aircraft, four T-129 helicopters, and two AW-109 Trekker helicopters.
The CAS added that the service was expecting additional deliveries of two T-129 helicopters and one KA 360i aircraft before the end of this year.
The Air Chief explained that by next year, the NAF is also set to receive 10 AW-109 Trekker helicopters, 24 M-346FA aircraft, three CASA—295 aircraft, and 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters, making a total of 64 brand new aircraft in about 3 years.
He said in addition to these new acquisitions, the NAF have also procured 12 pre-owned A-Jet aircraft from the French Air Force through SOFEMA.
He assured that the NAF would not relent on the trust reposed in it by the President and Commander in Chief but would continue to consolidate the operational gains made so far.
On capacity, building, he said 405 airmen and 186 officers completed various foreign courses, seminars and trips, while 64 are currently ongoing.
Air Marshal Abubakar added further that the Service has trained 54 Pilots abroad and 43 Pilots locally, while 16 UAV operators were trained locally from January to November 2024.
The Air Chief commended all the Air Component Commanders for their exceptional leadership and outstanding performance charging them to build on the successes and strive for even greater excellence particularly with the anticipated induction of new platforms in the coming weeks and months.
In his remarks, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar said the Nigerian Air Force has made commendable achievements in air operational activities.
He added that the achievement was a testament to NAF’s commitment to excellence and its dedication to protecting the nation’s interests.