In what can be regarded as a definite step to flush out terrorists, bandits and other disgruntled criminals that have been terrorising Nigerians, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Thursday took delivery of the first batch of six A-29 Super Tucano aircraft from the United States (US).
The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, announced the good news in a statement in Abuja.
According to Gabkwet, the aircraft arrived Kano at about 12.34 p.m.
He added that the officials that received the aircraft included the Minister of Defence, Major. -Gen. Bashir Magashi (Rtd); Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.- Gen. Faruk Yahaya; and Chief of Air Staf (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao.
Gabkwet had on July 15 said the aircraft had departed the US and will move through five countries before arrival in Nigeria.
According to Gabkwet, “The first batch of 6 A-29 Super Tucano aircraft have departed the United States of America on Wednesday, 14 July 2021 en-route Nigeria.
“The 6 aircraft will be leapfrogged through 5 countries, including Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Spain and Algeria before arriving their final destination in Nigeria towards the end of July 2021.
“An official induction ceremony of the aircraft into the inventory of the Nigerian Air Force is already being planned at a later date in August 2021 to be announced in due course.”
Meanwhile, the chief of air staff had earlier announced that the air force is expecting 20 fighter aircraft before the end of 2021.
He said aside from the batch which just arrived, six more A-29 Super Tucano aircraft will arrive in September, while two CH-3 and four CH-4 UCAVs will arrive the country before the end of 2021.
Procurement of the A-29s is part of a major NAF effort to expand its attack forces as it faces Islamic State and Boko Haram insurgents, mainly in the North East of the country.
With its armed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capability, and the ability to operate from austere bases, the A-29 is an ideal platform for counter-terrorism and irregular warfare operations.
In May this year, the NAF inducted three PAC JF-17 Thunder jet fighters for “type familiarization”, with an aim of possibly procuring as many as 40 from Pakistan. Nigeria also claimed in March to have 24 Leonardo M-346FA fighter/attack jets on order, although the manufacturer subsequently denied that a firm order had been placed.
In the meantime, NAF technicians have been working hard to restore a number of retired fighter/attack assets to operational status, including Dassault Alpha Jet and Aero L-39ZA Albatros armed trainers, and Chengdu F-7Ni fighters.
The governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele had some months back hinted that the West African nation was expecting the fighter planes from the US as the country steps up efforts to combat insecurity.
“About three years ago, the Federal Government and the United States signed a pact that resulted in a government to government acquisition of military equipment out of which we are expecting twelve Tucano aircraft or fighter planes that will help combat insecurity,” the apex bank boss explained during a two-day Monetary Policy Committee meeting in Abuja where he also expressed optimism that Nigeria will overcome its security challenges.
“I am aware that six of them are coming to the country in the months of July and August.”
The arrival of the aircraft is a major boost to the country’s fight against crimes especially in the northern region where threats from bandits and terrorists have continued to make headlines.