From January to November 2024, the Nigerian Airforce has trained no fewer than 54 Pilots abroad and 43 of them locally, while 16 UAV operators were trained locally.
This disclosure was made by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar during the winging ceremony of new sets of trained military pilots in Jahi, Abuja.
According to Abubakar, training, operations, and Safety are integral and inseparable pillars that collectively underpin Airforce constitutional mandate and raison d’être as an Air Force.
“It is, therefore, highly commendable that, for the first time, we are hosting a seminar that holistically integrates these three distinct yet interdependent domains, for meaningful dialogue and critical introspection. Accordingly, the theme, “Agile and Resilient Air Power for National Security: Enhancing Safety and Optimizing NAF Air Operations to Combat Emerging Threats,” aptly encapsulates, not only the critical interplay among the triad but also the strategic pathway to addressing the pressing demands of our time.”
The CAS noted that their goal is to provide the enabling environment for all Nigerians to fully benefit from Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the year 2025.
Adding that there is no gainsaying the fact that under the leadership President Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigerian Air Force has witnessed a remarkable renaissance, evident in the renewal of our aircraft fleet and enhanced operational readiness.
His words: “Over the past one year, we have taken delivery of 12 advanced aircraft. These include 2 x KA-360i aircraft, 4 x DA-62 aircraft, 4 x T-129 helicopters, and 2 x AW-109 Trekker helicopters. Before the end of this year, the Service is expecting additional deliveries of 2 x T-129 helicopters and 1 x KA 360i aircraft.
“Next year, the NAF is also set to receive 10 x AW-109 Trekker helicopters, 24 x M-346FA aircraft, and 3 x CASA – 295 aircraft as well as 12 x AH-1Z attack helicopters. This makes a total of 64 brand new aircraft in about 3 years.
” 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 6 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.
“We will not relent on the trust reposed on us by Mr President but continue to consolidate on the operational gains made so far.”