Nigerian Airforce operations face steep cost challenges, says Air Chief
By- Zagazola Makama
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has disclosed the enormous cost of sustaining air operations in Nigeria’s multiple theatres of security operations, describing it as a “very expensive endeavour.”
Speaking at a media parley held in Abuja as part of activities marking the 61st anniversary of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), the Air Chief explained that executing a single sortie with advanced unmanned aerial systems could cost Nigeria hundreds of thousands of dollars.
He cited an example of the Chinese-made Wing Loong II Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), which is currently deployed in several operations across the country.
“The cost of a single missile fired by the Wing Loong II UAV is about $156,000, while the bomb it carries costs approximately $95,000 to $96,000,” Abubakar said.
“So, when we deploy this UAV, for example, to neutralise 10 or 20 terrorists, you are looking at a munition cost of over $300,000 for that one mission. That’s not even accounting for fuel, man-hours, maintenance and other logistics,” he added.
Abubakar noted that while it is necessary to carry out kinetic actions to suppress threats, the decision to strike is often weighed against operational cost and the imperative to avoid collateral damage.
He said the high cost of operations is a challenge the Force has to manage carefully while remaining effective in achieving national security objectives.
The Chief of Air Staff emphasized that flying hours alone have increased significantly. According to him, between late 2023 and mid-2024, the NAF flew over 10,500 hours in close to 7,000 sorties, executing nearly 6,000 missions in multiple theatres of operation.
“These operations include armed reconnaissance, air interdiction, ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance), close air support, and tactical raids,” he said.
He stressed the importance of precision engagement due to the presence of civilians in conflict areas and the limited use of general-purpose munitions, noting that this further adds to the complexity and cost of missions.
The Air Chief called for increased national support, noting that the Air Force alone cannot bear the burden of national security, and that other institutions must also contribute within their mandates.
