Nigeria has procured 12 pre-owned alpha jets from the French Air Force.
Olusegun Dada, special assistant to President Bola Tinubu on
social media, said the jets were acquired through SOFEMA, a French military and
aeronautics company.
“All the 12 aircraft are ready for shipping,” Dada posted on
X on Thursday.
“As of 2023, the Nigerian Air Force has 11 Alpha Jets in
service.”
Developed through a collaboration between France and
Germany, the alpha jet is a versatile military aircraft designed primarily as a
light attack jet and advanced trainer.
The aircraft is capable of carrying a variety of weapons,
including bombs, rockets, and missiles. It is also equipped with a gun pod that
can be used for close air support missions.
Dada added that the Nigerian Air Force is also expecting the
arrival of 24 M-346FA light attack aircraft ordered by the past administration
under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The president’s media aide said the aircraft will arrive
early next year.
Hasan Abubakar, the chief of air staff (COAS), said NAF has
witnessed a remarkable turnaround, evident in the renewal of its aircraft fleet
and enhanced operational readiness with Tinubu’s support.
The announcement of the French aircraft purchases comes days
after Tinubu’s three-day state visit to France from November 27 to November 30.
The president departed on December 1.
The visit was at the invitation of President Emmanuel
Macron.
Meanwhile, in October, Abubakar said Nigeria expected 24
Leonardo M-346FA aircraft from Italy, with six units already in production.
The air chief said the initial batch of three aircraft is
expected to be handed over in early 2025, with total delivery scheduled for
2026.
Abubakar emphasised the necessity of establishing a
maintenance hub in Nigeria to ensure long-term support for the aircraft.
Tinubu has repeatedly pledged to support the armed forces in
their fight against insecurity.
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Alfa jets are outdated. They have been flying for decades. Nigeria doesn’t need those Alfa jets as regards the current geopolitical situation in the world. Nigeria need more sophisticated fighter planes that can change the course of any war. Nigeria need special new generation war planes like Russia fighter planes SU 35 and high speed combat helicopters. It is so disgraceful that big as Nigeria, the government does not take security seriously. For instance , tynewly confederated African States have more sophisticated war planes, combat helicopters and ballistic missiles and artillery’s than any African country. They don’t have Alfa Jets in their fleet because they are practically useless in modern combat situations.
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