The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has taken flight with ambitious plans to acquire 50 new aircraft, a boost in firepower to strengthen its fight against terrorism and armed gangs in the country’s northwest and central regions.
The announcement was made by Nigerian Chief of Air Staff Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar during the opening of new military facilities in Katsina State on Tuesday.
The fleet will include attack helicopters, dual-threat jets, multipurpose workhorses, and logistical lifelines. The NAF expects to receive the aircraft by next year.
The acquisition is part of the government’s efforts to modernize the Nigerian military and enhance its ability to tackle security challenges in the country. The new aircraft will be used for surveillance, reconnaissance, and combat operations against insurgents and criminals.
This development comes as Nigeria continues to face security challenges, including the ongoing insurgency in the northeast and rising cases of banditry and kidnapping in other parts of the country.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
