Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar says the NAF is expecting 51 additional platforms to boost counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in the country.
In a statement by Director of Public Relations and Information of the force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet says the Air Chief stated this while addressing personnel during his maiden operational tour of NAF units in Benue State.
Air Vice Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar noted that acquisition of additional platforms would bolster training, air power employment and projection.
According to him, the platforms expected include trekker multi-role helicopters, medium airlift/surveillance aircraft, attack helicopters among others.
Air Vice Marshal Hassan Abubakar explained that these acquisitions demonstrates federal government’s deep commitment to equipping the NAF for the safe conduct of training and agile airpower employment to meet the nation’s security challenges.
He assured personnel of commitment to proactively address maintenance and logistics support for all NAF fleet to ensure it surpasses the current average serviceability of over 78 percent.
The Air Chief re-iterated the determination of the force towards enhancing co-operation and jointness as part of a whole-of-nation approach to quickly resolving security challenges bedeviling the country.
On training, the Chief of the Air Staff disclosed that local and overseas training would be deliberate and targeted to address deficiencies in needed skills and capabilities, just as selection for such courses would be purely merit-based to ensure that only the most qualified are selected to give the NAF value for money.
Air Vice Marshal Abubakar also pledged to accord priority to the welfare of personnel in the area of improved power and water supply, as well as the rehabilitation of dilapidated accommodation and road infrastructures on all NAF bases, while prompt payment of all entitlements, issue of uniforms and other accoutrements would also be looked into.
PR/Usman Sani.
