The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, announced that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has successfully acquired 63 new aircraft over the past three years. This significant acquisition was shared during the NAF Training, Operations, and Safety Seminar for 2024, held in Abuja.
According to Abubakar, the fleet modernization and improved operational capabilities were achieved with the strong support of President Bola Tinubu. In the previous year alone, the NAF received 12 advanced aircraft, including two KA-360i, four DA-62, four T-129 helicopters, and two AW-109 Trekker helicopters. Additionally, the NAF expects further deliveries by year-end, including two more T-129 helicopters and one KA-360i.
Looking ahead to 2025, the NAF plans to add 10 AW-109 Trekker helicopters, 24 M-346FA aircraft, three CASA-295 aircraft, and 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters to its fleet. This will bring the total new aircraft to 64 in approximately three years. Moreover, the NAF has acquired 12 pre-owned A-Jet aircraft from the French Air Force through SOFEMA. Of these, six will be refurbished for operational use, while the other six will serve as spare parts for the existing Alpha Jet fleet.
Air Marshal Abubakar referred to this era as a “golden age” for the NAF, emphasizing the importance of consolidating the gains made in enhancing the force’s operational capacity. Between June 2023 and September 2024, the NAF successfully executed 8,665 missions across 9,928 sorties, accumulating 15,915 flying hours.
Abubakar also praised the leadership of the Air Component Commanders and encouraged them to continue building on their successes. In terms of training, the NAF has made significant strides, with 405 airmen and 186 officers completing foreign courses, and 64 currently in progress. Domestically, 5,474 personnel have completed training, with 1,331 more in various stages of training.
In 2024, the NAF trained 54 pilots abroad and 43 pilots locally, alongside 16 UAV operators. A special winging ceremony will take place today for 28 newly trained pilots and operators.
