President Mohammadu Buhari is expected to unveil a new aircraft to be inducted into the Nigeria Air Force (NAF), during the main event of activities lined up for the 2019 NAF day celebrations tagged NAF@55.
The chairman of the NAF day celebrations, Air Commodore Nnamdi Ananaba, made this known yesterday during a special press conference to kick start the NAF@55 events.
He said the theme; “Building Capability for Defence of Nigeria’s Air Space while Responding to National Security Imperatives” was adopted for this year’s NAF Day Celebration.
He said the highlight of the celebrations will be the ceremonial parade and Order of Battle (ORBAT) fly-past at the Eagle Square Abuja.
He added that the various aircraft in the NAF inventory will fly-past to salute the Guest of Honour (President Buhari and the Nigerian people.
He said there after the latest aircraft to be acquired by this administration will be unveiled by President Buhari.
He said the NAF within the last three years has taken delivery of 16 brand new aircraft; 10 Super Mushshak, 4 Mi-35M and 2 Bell 412 helicopters.
He said another 18 (4 A-109 Power and 1 Mi-35M, 1 AW139 helicopter and 12 Super Tucano) are either expected soon or have been paid for and are expected to be inducted into Service in 2020.
He said 14 previously grounded aircraft such as Falcon 900, ATR-42, Beechcraft, Super Puma, EC-135 Do-228, Mi-35P, F-7 and L-39 have been reactivated.
He said the NAF has winged 90 pilots in the last three years while 68 others are in training both at home and abroad.
