The 48 fighter aircraft, which will include attack jets and helicopters, will be delivered to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF). These aircraft will be able to police the country’s large ungoverned spaces, especially its forests and deserts, while also destroying terrorists, criminal organizations, and kidnappers who are stoking unrest in the nation.
In order to do this, the NAF is expecting to get 12 AW-109 helicopter Trekkers from Italy by 2025, 24 M-346 fighter planes from Italy—which would eventually replace the Alpha jets—and 6 AH attack helicopters from the US by the end of 2024.
At a briefing in Abuja yesterday, Air Vice Marshal Michael Ekwueme, the chairman of the organizing committee for the NAF’s 60th anniversary, revealed that air chiefs from at least ten nations in Africa, Europe, and other continents have expressed interest in taking part in the celebration.
He claims that more than 2,000 attendees from around the globe will also have an influence on the event.
He urged the people of Kaduna and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where the anniversary events would take place, to not panic since the NAF would be sending operational and other assets into the cities. These events would include fly-pasts and aerial demonstrations.
AVM Ekwueme revealed that, despite stressing that their deployments were only temporary, the NAF leadership had devised a novel plan to raise money for the anniversary through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements as a result of the country’s current economic climate.
“We are utilizing international collaboration in research and development with manufacturers and technology firms from various countries, such as the United States, United Kingdom, Turkey, Italy, China, and many more. Meanwhile, domestic industry participation, spearheaded by the Defense Industries Corporation of Nigeria, or DICON, will grasp the chance to demonstrate their capacities to the outside world,” the speaker stated.
The most recent advancements in aircraft technology and the deployment of contemporary airpower equipment would be on display at the International Conference Centre in Abuja, according to AVM Ekwueme, who also announced the organization of a research and development exhibition for aerospace equipment and technology involving companies from various countries.
“NAF is using a PPP model for the first time to plan and finance this event,” he stated. For the conference and show, a Dubai-based business called Great Minds Event Management is bringing in overseas attendees and exhibitors. They are also sponsoring the event to varying degrees.
Director of NAF Public Relations, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, spoke on the new fighter aircraft, saying that the Nigerian Air Force will become the third biggest in Africa over the next few months or years. There will be alterations. The NAF will get more powerful.
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