Chief of the Air Staff, AVM Hasan Abubakar, says the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is expecting 51 additional platforms to boost counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in the country.
Abubakar made this known while addressing officers and men during his maiden operational tour of NAF units in Makurdi, Benue
He said that the platforms being expected include two Agusta 109 Trekker Multi-role helicopters, two Beechcraft King Air 360, three Diamond DA-62 surveillance aircraft and six T-129 ATAK helicopters.
Other pending acquisitions, according to him, include two CASA -295 medium airlift/surveillance aircraft, 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters and 24 M-346 attack aircraft
He assured that the NAF would continue to enhance cooperation and joint action as part of a whole-of-nation approach to quickly resolving the security challenges bedeviling the country.
“While the NAF augments its airpower measures and approaches, it will also continue to promote seamless interoperability of equipment and joint force employment by the various services,” he said.
