NAF’s new aircraft enhance operational capacity – Air Chief
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has declared that the Nigerian Air Force’s (NAF) recent acquisition of nine brand-new aircraft has significantly elevated its operational capacity, enabling more precise and sustained missions across the nation.
Speaking at the Air Force War College in Makurdi during his presentation titled “Military Strategic Leadership in Air Operations: My Perspective,” Abubakar emphasized the importance of this strategic investment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in strengthening the NAF’s capability to respond to national security challenges.
“These platforms are already making a measurable impact in key operations geared towards enhancing national security,” he stated. “These acquisitions will further expand the service’s capacity to execute complex missions and maintain momentum in ongoing air operations.”
He also revealed that the NAF is anticipating an additional 49 aircraft, with several expected to be delivered in the coming months. Reflecting on past successes, Abubakar noted that last year the NAF logged over 4,500 flight hours across 2,304 sorties, performing nearly 2,000 counterinsurgency missions.
“Additionally, over 2,600 anti-banditry sorties were carried out, resulting in 4,670 hours of flight time,” he pointed out, underlining the tangible achievements of the NAF.
Abubakar reported that, from June 2023 to the present, NAF strikes resulted in the elimination of 3,496 terrorists in the Northeast. Furthermore, more than 121,000 insurgents and their families have surrendered to security forces. “Through the strategic deployment of both kinetic and non-kinetic air power, we have disrupted oil theft syndicates and secured critical infrastructure,” he emphasized.
He cited recent data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, revealing a 13% increase in crude oil and condensate production in the fourth quarter of 2024, attributing this growth to effective air operations and collaborative security efforts.
In conclusion, the Air Marshal urged the next generation of Air Force leaders to embrace upcoming strategic challenges, stating, “Your leadership, professionalism, and resolve will determine the Air Force’s ability to meet current and future security threats.”
Source: The Nation
