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General News of Friday, 21 May 2021

Source: legit.ng

26 powerful aircrafts bought by Buhari administration since 2015

The launch of a new Aircraft The launch of a new Aircraft

One of President Muhammadu Buhari's campaign promises back in 2015 was to improve the infrastructure and equipment dispositions of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and other security agencies.

According to him, this move was aimed at combating terrorism, insurgency, armed banditry, and other security threats in Nigeria.

So far the Buhari-led administration’s unwavering resolve to equip the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) for enhanced output, professionalism, and service delivery has been met.

The Nigerian leader has backed up his promise to strengthen the defence potential by purchasing several helicopters and fighter aircraft.

The aircraft would be deployed in the fight against insurgency in the country.

Here is a list highlighting the 26 aircrafts:

1. 10 Super Mushshak trainer aircraft
2. 13 rotary-wing combat platforms made up of:

A. 5 Mi-35M helicopter gunships

B. 4 Agusta 109 Power helicopters

C. 2 Mi-171E D. 2 Bell 412 multi-role helicopters

3. 3 JF-17 Thunder aircraft

Expected to arrive later are:

1. 20 additional platforms from the United States of America comprising of 12 A-29 Super Tucano aircraft.

2. 8 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

Meanwhile, some NAF pilots were in the US to understudy their counterparts in the country on how to effectively fly the Tucano helicopters.

The super Tucano is famed for its precision-guided missiles/bombs, and machine guns which military experts say will be deadly for rag-tag criminal elements in Nigeria.

In preparation for its induction into its service, the NAF is already establishing more Forward Operating Bases in the country.

Similarly, the presidency announced that six of the twelve Super Tucanos ordered from the United States of America by the Nigerian government are on track to arrive in mid-July 2021.

This was revealed by presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu via a thread on Twitter.

Shehu also revealed that the remaining six will arrive in Nigeria shortly after the first six expected in the country.