NAF Revives Nine F-7 Fighter Jets, Foresees Delivery Of Additional Ones (PHOTOS)

The Nigerian Airforce (NAF) revives Nine F-7 Fighter jets, foresees delivery of additional ones.

NAF, the air branch of the Nigerian Armed Forces has also received two Combat drones from China.

It will receive another six UCAVs in early 2021.

All is set for the Nigerian Airforce (NAF) to take delivery of additional fighter jets to advance their operations. This would include a new multi-role fighter aircraft, the ‘3 JF-17 fighter’, and eight other Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs). They would come from the Peoples Republic of China.

The Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar disclosed this during an operational visit in Makurdi, Benue State capital. He said it happened in order to assess the ongoing reactivation work on the F-7 Aircraft.

NAF revives nine F-7 fighter jets

He explained that nine fighter jets were reactivated in order to sustain the onslaught against insurgents.

Also in a series of Tweets, Director of Public Relations and Information Headquarters Nigerian Air Force Nigeria, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola said Nigeria has joined China and UAE as the only countries operating the WingLoong II Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle.

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“Nigeria has joined China & UAE as the only countries operating the WingLoong II Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle. The 2 x @NigAirForce WingLoong II, which can remain airborne for 31hrs in ISR mode & 26hrs in offensive role, will add significant value to COIN & anti-banditry.”

He added that “in the last five years, 22 brand new aircraft have been acquired. In the meantime, 19 more would emerge before mid-2021. Six other UCAVs are also expected by early 2021.”

Air Commodore Daramola adds that “200 NAF pilots, engineers, and technicians are undergoing training. The training is taking place in nine different countries. This is   part of efforts to bridge decades of gaps in capability and capacity that have made Nigeria vulnerable to asymmetrical threats.

The additional new air assets and skills acquired by personnel aim to enhance Nigeria Air Force’s operational effectiveness.

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