NAF Set to Receive 49 New Aircraft as Air Marshal Abubakar Reaffirms Commitment to Air Power Expansion

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has announced that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is expected to take delivery of 49 new aircraft over the next two years as part of efforts to strengthen its operational capabilities across various theatres of conflict.

Air Marshal Abubakar disclosed this during the induction of two newly acquired Agusta 109S Trekker helicopters in Abuja on Friday, as part of activities marking the 61st Anniversary of the Nigerian Air Force.

The two helicopters, the first batch of 12 in a larger procurement deal, were officially inducted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was represented at the ceremony by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

According to Abubakar, the 49 aircraft on the way include 10 additional Agusta 109S Trekkers, 12 AH-1 Zulu attack helicopters, 24 M-346 aircraft for attack and ground support, and three Kata 295 medium airlift aircraft.

“These acquisitions will significantly bolster our precision strike, ground attack, and air mobility capabilities, to support our counter-terrorism and counterinsurgency operations,” he said.

“The dynamic security landscape of our nation demands an agile, well-equipped and responsive Air Force capable of rapid deployment across multiple theatres.

“This reality underscores the need for continuous investments in modern platforms to bolster the Nigerian Air Force’s capacity to deliver air power across all spectrums of warfare.”

Highlighting the progress of his administration since assuming office in June 2023, the Air Chief said that his leadership philosophy was centered on transforming the NAF into an agile and resilient force capable of meeting the air power demands of national security.

“Since then, we have undertaken deliberate steps and instituted key initiatives to actualize this philosophy.

“Notably, we have prioritised mission-oriented force development and deliberate training.

“In this regard, eight pilots and eighteen engineers and technicians have been trained for the effective deployment of the Trekker helicopters.

“Additionally, air and ground crew are currently undergoing specialized training abroad, and will in turn train more personnel locally to sustain capacity development,” he said.

Air Marshal Abubakar noted that from 2024 to date, the NAF had already received nine new aircraft, including four C-129 attack helicopters, three King Air 360 aircraft, and the two Agusta 109 Trekkers inducted at the ceremony.

He emphasized that the acquisition of the Agusta Westland 109 Trekker helicopters marked “a significant leap in our modernisation efforts.”

In addition to new acquisitions, the Air Chief said the Air Force is heavily investing in research and development to build robust technical capacity for the maintenance of its increasingly sophisticated platforms.

According to him, the service is leveraging strategic partnerships in areas such as artificial intelligence, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) research and development, small arms and rocket technology, and radar enhancements.

Among recent achievements, he listed the revalidation of Alpha Jet ejection seats, retrofitting of previously unserviceable 68mm rockets, and the development of a test kit for measuring the specific impulse of pyro cartridges.

Air Marshal Abubakar expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for the administration’s continued support and assured that the newly acquired aircraft would be “optimally deployed and maintained to serve the best interests of the nation.”

“Working closely with other sister services and security agencies, we remain resolute in our mission to ensure a secure, united, and prosperous Nigeria.

“Finally, on behalf of the officers, airmen, airwomen, and civilian staff of the NAF, I affirm our loyalty and unyielding commitment to upholding the Constitution and discharging our constitutional responsibilities with professionalism and patriotism,” he concluded.