…as 49 additional aircraft expected in the coming months
By Victor Akaa.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, has revealed that the Federal Government’s strategic support to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has yielded commendable results, particularly with the recent delivery of 9 brand-new aircraft that have significantly bolstered the operational capabilities of the NAF.
Air Marshal Abubakar stated while delivering a lecture titled, “Military Strategic Leadership in Air Operations: My Perspective” on Wednesday to participants of Course 11/2025 at the Air Force War College (AFWC), Makurdi, Benue State.
According to Air Marshal Abubakar, “These platforms are already making a measurable impact in key operations geared towards enhancing national security.”
He noted that the NAF’s operational achievements are impressive, adding that in the past year alone, the NAF has flown over 4,500 hours across 2,304 sorties, executing nearly 2,000 counter-insurgency missions.
“These figures are not mere statistics, they represent real missions, real risks, and real outcomes,” the CAS emphasised.
Air Marshal Abubakar also revealed that the NAF is expecting an additional 49 aircraft, with several scheduled for delivery in the coming months.
“These acquisitions will further expand the Service’s capacity to execute complex missions and maintain momentum in ongoing air operations,” he said.
He said the NAF’s efforts have yielded significant results, including the elimination of over 3,496 terrorists in the Northeast alone, with more than 121,000 insurgents and their families surrendering to security forces.
The CAS also noted the significant contribution of air operations under Operation DELTA SAFE, which has disrupted oil theft syndicates and secured critical infrastructure.
“Through the strategic development of both kinetic and non-kinectic air power, we have disrupted oil theft syndicates and secured critical infrastructure.”
The CAS urged the next generation of Air Force leaders to embrace the challenges of strategic command, saying, “You are the future of air power in Nigeria. Your leadership, professionalism, and resolve will shape the Air Force’s ability to respond to present and future security challenges.”
