Nigeria will soon take delivery of 10 trainer aircraft from Pakistan and a helicopter gunship from Russia, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has disclosed.
The Air Chief, while interacting with representatives of major online newspapers in Abuja on Saturday, lamented that international politics is frustrating the Federal Government’s efforts to purchase military hardware.
He said: “Right now, we are expecting the Pakistan Chief of Air Staff in Nigeria today.
“Pakistan has accepted to sell 10 trainer aircraft to Nigeria.
“That’s why he is coming to the country.
“We are also expecting a helicopter gunship from Russia before the end of this month.
“As a developing country, we don’t produce aircraft.
“Even the process of getting spare parts is hard.
“There is a lot of politics involved even when you have the money.
“Sometimes, I see online comments: ‘Why is Nigeria operating this old aircraft.’
“I just laugh.
“People don’t know.
“Even if you have your money you might not see one to buy, even spare parts.
“That’s why we are forced to go into research and development.
“To get just quotation to buy spare parts, sometimes it takes four months to get a response depending on the relationship you have with the country.
“It is not easy.
“Some will say why are we not buying F16?
“But will the owner of F16 sell to you even if you have money.”
However, Air Marshal Abubakar said Nigeria is enjoying support from friendly countries despite the politics involved in the sale of military equipment.
Speaking on efforts to build capacity, the Air Chief said no fewer than 700 personnel of the Nigerian Air Force have been trained in different parts of the world to enhance their capacity to combat insurgency.
According to him, the focus is on upgrading of combat aircrafts, capacity building and welfare of airmen and other personnel as they join the soldiers to fight insurgency in the northeast.
The CAS disclosed that the British Royal Air Force has so far trained about 150 NAF officers so as to be able to cope with security emergencies at the nation’s airports.
To boost Operation, Air Marshal Abubakar said emphasis is being laid on research and development, adding that the NAF has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with 15 Nigerian universities in the areas of producing aircraft spare parts locally.
The efforts, he said, are yielding positive results as 12 airplanes that had been parked have now been activated by the Buhari administration and now being used to fight the Boko Haram insurgents.
Speaking on the collaboration between the NAF and the Nigerian Army, the CAS said NAF personnel are preoccupied with identifying targets and softening the grounds for the army to move in for land operation.
Abubakar said NAF has carried out air bombardment for 48 hours to soften the ground for the army ahead of moving into Sambisa forest.
On the welfare of officers and men, the CAS said provision of massive accommodation is ongoing, even as the post-service housing scheme is being extended to cover non-commissioned officers.
Also, the CAS said more schools and skills acquisition centres are being built for children of NAF personnel while hospitals are being expanded and equipped.
Politics hampering purchase of military hardware – Air Chief
