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The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, on Wednesday, said that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), acquired no fewer than 64 brand new aircrafts of various types in three years.
Abubakar also revealed that NAF is expected to take delivery of another set of 38 platforms of various types in 2025. This, he said was in addition to the two T-129 helicopters and one KA 360i aircraft expected to be delivered before the end of this year.
In another development, the CAS yesterday said NAF under his leadership has instituted robust measures to uphold the highest standards of human rights, reaffirming the service’s unwavering commitment to protecting and serving the nation.
He said that some of these protective measures include strict adherence to air targeting cycle and use of precision-guided munitions. This was as the NAF, also winged no fewer than 28 student pilots who completed their training at home and abroad.
Meanwhile, NAF also yesterday honoured personnel who took part in the operations that led to the killing of notorious bandit leaders and their combatants in Zamfara State as part of effort to boost their morale.
As part of its inter-agency cooperation, NAF also signed a revised Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau and the Hybrid Health, Safety, and Environment Group, to further strengthen their collaborative efforts to enhance safety standards across the aviation sector.
The CAS made this disclosure on the service’s aircraft acquisition while welcoming guests and participants to the Nigerian Air Force Training, Operation and Safety Seminar 2024, at NAF Conference Centre and Suites, Kado, Abuja.
He noted that the seminar is perfect for this time of the year as the service reviews its operational activities for 2024 and refine its strategies for deploying airpower to address all threats to national security in the coming year.
Observing that training, operations, and safety are integral and inseparable pillars that collectively underpin NAF’s constitutional mandate and raison d’être as an Air Force, the CAS said that the seminar holistically integrates these three distinct yet interdependent domains, for meaningful dialogue and critical introspection.
According to him, “Under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian Air Force has witnessed a remarkable renaissance, evident in the renewal of our aircraft fleet and enhanced operational readiness.
“Over the past one year, we have taken delivery of 12 advanced aircraft. These include two KA-360i aircraft, four DA-62 aircraft, four T-129 helicopters, and two AW-109 Trekker helicopters.
“Before the end of this year, the Service is expecting additional deliveries of two T-129 helicopters and one KA 360i aircraft.
“Next year, the NAF is also set to receive 10 AW-109 Trekker helicopters, 24 M-346FA aircraft, and three CASA – 295 aircraft as well as 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters. This makes a total of 64 brand new aircraft in about three years”.
Giving further details of the acquired platforms, the CAS said, “That’s not all. In addition to these new acquisitions, we have also procured 12 pre-owned A-Jet aircraft from the French Air Force through SOFEMA.
“While all 12 aircraft are ready for shipping, it is anticipated that six will be restored to operable status, with the remaining six used as spares to support the Alpha Jet fleet.
“It is therefore no exaggeration to state that the Nigerian Air Force is experiencing a golden era under the current administration”.
Meanwhile, speaking at the winging ceremony of no fewer than 28 student pilots who completed their training at home and abroad, in Abuja, the CAS said that the service has continued to work with international stakeholders like the United States Air Force and British Military Advisory and training team (BMATT) to introduce new tactics, techniques and procedures for improved air/ground integration.
This renewed international collaboration is not unconnected with the occasional bombing of wrong targets with its attendant civilian casualties, he added.
According to Abubakar, “I recently gave my approval for a committee of officers to draw up the Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response-Action Plan to improve our capacity to manage and mitigate civilian harm resulting from air operations.
“In the aspect of training, we gained significant mileage this year as 405 airmen and 186 officers completed various foreign courses, seminars and trips, while 64 are currently ongoing.
“Additionally, 5,474 and 1,331 personnel have completed and are undergoing various local training courses, respectively.
“Furthermore, from January to November 2024, the Service has trained 54 Pilots abroad and 43 Pilots locally, while 16 UAV operators were trained locally.
“Indeed, it is gratifying that, today, we will also be witnessing the winging ceremony of 28 of these pilots and operators”.
In the area of safety, he said, “we achieved a commendable milestone this year by recording zero manned-aircraft accidents, a testament to the positive outcomes of our continued investment in safety.
“I am also glad to announce that we conducted a comprehensive review of our safety policy, culminating in the development of our first-ever Safety Management System (SMS) manual, which I am proud to launch today.
“Additionally, I will be unveiling a compendium that consolidates all aircraft accident investigation reports in the history of the Nigerian Air Force”.
This landmark initiative, the first of its kind for the NAF, he said serves as a vital resource to ensure that lessons are learned, and the critical mistakes of the past are not repeated.
Abubakar said that the initiative marks another watershed moment for the Nigerian Air Force as he welcomed the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to present the Accreditation Certificate to the NAF Air Traffic Services Training Centre (ATSTC).
He noted that this certificate formally designates the centre as an Approved Training Organization (ATO), authorised to train and certify licensed air traffic controllers, flight dispatchers, and cabin crew.
He applauds the NCAA’s longstanding strategic partnership with the Nigerian Air Force, which has been instrumental in advancing their shared goals.
His words: “In keeping with this progress, the NAF ATSTC in Kaduna launched its inaugural Air Traffic Control and Surveillance Radar (ACSR) Course on 22 November 2024.
“This program is equipping 20 cadet air traffic controllers (ATCOs) with the technical expertise required to become certified professionals, significantly strengthening the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency’s (NAMA) technical workforce.
“This historic collaboration between the Nigerian Air Force and Nigerian Airspace Management Agency is set to transform the civil aviation sector, leveraging the NAF’s exceptional training capabilities to enhance air traffic management and aviation safety across Nigeria”.
In yet another event yesterday while speaking at the signing of the MoU, the CAS said: “This august gathering also affords us the opportunity to recognize and applaud the outstanding achievements of some of our personnel.
“Accordingly, I will be presenting awards to a group of distinguished individuals who, through extraordinary gallantry and exceptional performance, led ground offensives that resulted in the elimination of notorious bandit leaders and gang members in Zamfara State, under Operation Hadarin Daji, now Operation FansanYamma.
“Their dedication and courage exemplify the highest ideals of service to our nation. While the entire country is grateful for their remarkable contributions, the Nigerian Air Force remains committed to recognizing, motivating, and rewarding such exemplary individuals in a manner befitting their service and sacrifice”.
He stated that the Nigerian Air Force has made significant strides in enhancing its operational readiness and safety protocols.
Abubakar averred that the emerging threats they face demand even greater collaboration, improved training frameworks, and the institutionalisation of safety as a cornerstone of all operations.
Linus Aleke
The post NAF Acquires 64 New Aircraft in Three Years, 38 More to Arrive in 2025, Says Air Marshal Abubakar appeared first on Arise News.
