The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) will take delivery of 20 aircraft of different makes and specifications before the end of the year.
NAF made the disclosure through the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, while speaking at the passing out parade of 1,031 new recruits at the NAF Base Kaduna.
According to him, “NAF is expecting eight aircraft in July 2021, comprising 6 A-29 Super Tucano aircraft from the United States of America and 2 Wing Loong Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAV) from China.
“The remaining 6 A-29 Super Tucano, he said, would arrive in September while 2 CH-3 and 4 CH-4 UCAV would arrive the country before the end of 2021”.
“The additional aircraft will “boost air power employment capabilities in support of joint operations and would be a game changer in various theatre of operations”.
The new recruits graduated from the Nigerian Air Force Basic Military Training Course 41/2020.
He charged them to put national service above all personal interests.
He said graduation of the new set of recruits “was another testimony of the commitment of the NAF to operate a professional Service properly structured, appropriately manned and adequately trained to provide security to Nigeria and the Nigerian people”.
The CAS also urged them “to ensure they operate within the ambits of the law and rules of engagement as enumerated in the code of conduct for military personnel engaged in internal security operations as they would be involved in several operations across the country”.
He charged them to respect and protect the innocent and law-abiding civilians whom they are paid to defend, “treat them with respect and protect their rights. It is by so doing that you will be discharging your professional and constitutional duties”.
Amao further enjoined them to submit themselves to civil authority in accordance with democratic tenets and should not allow themselves to be used by any subversive element in the society to compromise national security.
