*Says, new equipment part of his promises to boost military operations
*New air crafts bring NAF’s fleet to 26 since 2015 – Air Chief Amao
*Says 12 Tucano war planes still expected
By KEMI KASUMU
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, inducted three JF-17 Thunder Fighter Jets into the Nigeria Air Force fleet.
One of the new JF-17 Thunder Fighter Jets.
He said it was in exercising his commitment and fulfilment of his promise to boost the operations of the Nigerian Armed Forces especially in their efforts to overcoming the current insecurity in the country.
President Buhari was represented at the grand finale of the Nigeria Air Force 57th Anniversary, held in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, by the Honourable Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (Rtd). The Air Force was established in Nigeria in 1964.
Earlier the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Ishaq Oladayo Amao, said the Nigeria Air Force had got 23 air equipment since the beginning of the Buhari’s administration in 2015 and that, with the new JF-17 Thunder Fighter Jets, they are 26.
From Left: Nigeria’s Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Ishaq Oladayo Amao, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, at the event.
Air Marshal Amao said Nigeria, asides these three just delivered by Pakistan, still expects more delivery if such high caliber equipment including 12 Tucson war planes from the United States of America.
The fighter jets were handed over to the Nigrians Air Force after signing of documents between representatives of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, the suppliers of the equipment and the Nigerian Air Force.
From Left: Pakistani Vice Defence Chief, and Governor of Nigeria’s Benue State, Mr. Samuel Ortom.
After the documentations, the air crafts were said to now be fully set for deployment in Nigeria even as the Pakistani Vice Defence Chief presented four JF-17 air craft pilots with certificates to fly the equipment.
Speaking in his capacity as the Minister of Defence, General Magashi said what has happened is that the operational capacity of Nigeria Air Force has been boosted and that nobody jokes therefore with ability of Nigeria in terms of air defence.
Governor of Benue State, Mr Samuel Ortom, expressed satisfaction that what he had witnesses in terms of huge investment by Buhari Administration in defence was Ray of hope to him. He congratulated President Buhari, the Nigerian Air Force and Nigeria over the achievements.
Hosted by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Ishaq Oladayo Amao, was attended by the Governor of Benue State, Mr. Samuel Ortom, Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, the High Commissioner of Pakistan to Nigeria, His Excellency Major General Waqar Ahmad Kingravi (Rtd), members of the National Assembly among others.
Details later..
Other photographs from the event:
