NAF intensifies operations, receives 15 new aircraft to boost security — Air Chief
By Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it has intensified air operations across various theatres of internal security, with over 10,500 flying hours and 6,000 sorties conducted between late 2023 and mid-2024.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar, made this known during a media parley in Abuja as part of activities to mark the 61st anniversary of the Nigerian Air Force.
Abubakar said the operations, executed across the North East, North West and South-South, contributed significantly to national security, particularly through leadership decapitation of terrorist groups, disruption of logistics supply chains, and denial of operational freedom to adversaries.
He noted that oil production in the country rose from 1.5 million barrels per day to about 1.8 million barrels per day between late 2023 and early 2024, following intensified operations in the Niger Delta, especially with the support of air power.
“At some point, terminal flow through pipelines reported over 90 per cent success, meaning most of the lights are green. Our goal is to hit our peak quota of over 2 million barrels per day, and we are working toward that,” he said.
The air chief said the Nigerian Air Force, now the third largest in Africa, has undergone critical reforms and strategic transformation under his leadership, aimed at optimising force structure, enhancing operational efficiency and anticipating future threats.
He said a detailed environmental scan revealed gaps in intelligence gathering, prompting heavy investments in both human capacity and technology. This, he said, led to the acquisition of four DA-62 aircraft dedicated to intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations between late 2023 and early 2024.
“We have significantly upgraded our data analysis cells and trained personnel in data analytics. Intelligence now comes in faster and with more actionable insight,” he added.
Abubakar also announced the arrival of 15 new aircraft into NAF’s inventory in the past one year. These include DA-62 ISR platforms, King Air 360s, T-129 ATAK helicopters from Turkey, and 149 maritime patrol aircraft.
He disclosed that 49 more aircraft are expected in the next 12 to 18 months, including 10 Augusta 109 helicopters, 24 M-346 fighter ground-attack jets, three CASA-295 tactical airlifters, and the AH-1Z Viper (PH-10 Cobra) attack helicopters from the United States.
“These aircraft come with precision strike capabilities and modern avionics. They will replace older systems like the Alpha Jet and boost our effectiveness in current and future combat scenarios,” Abubakar said.
He said the procurement is part of a broader fleet modernisation programme supported by the Federal Government to reposition the Air Force for 21st-century warfare.
Abubakar reaffirmed NAF’s commitment to transforming into “an agile and resilient force” capable of meeting Nigeria’s air power demands across all operational environments.
He said the service would continue to strengthen civil-military relations, improve training, and prioritise welfare and professionalism.
The air chief also announced that Nigeria would again host the Association of African Air Chiefs Conference, a continental platform for intelligence sharing and collaboration among African air forces.
“It’s a testament to our growing leadership role in Africa and our determination to build stronger partnerships to tackle security challenges on the continent,” he said.
The event is one of several activities lined up to commemorate NAF’s 61st anniversary, alongside aerial displays, civil outreach, research and development exhibitions, and community engagement.
