Adedapo Adesanya
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria has received the first batch of A-29 Super Tucano aircraft procured from the United States of America, says the Nigerian Air Force.
In a statement signed by NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, it was disclosed that the aircraft arrived in Kano State on Thursday and was received by the Minister of Defence, Mr Bashir Magashi; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao.
Mr Gabkwet said the second batch of the A-29 Super Tucano is expected to arrive in the country before the end of the year.
The arrival of the six jets is a major boost to the country’s fight against insurgency as authorities have started training personnel to handle the new Tucano aircraft which they said is the most critical airpower component that must be enhanced and sustained for effective and efficient performance.
“On the A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, the CAS stated that about 60 NAF personnel, comprising pilots, engineers, technicians, and other specialists, have completed their training on the aircraft in the USA,” Mr Gabkwet said.
This development is coming after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, hinted that the country was expecting fighter planes from the US as the country steps up efforts to combat insecurity.
He said, “About three years ago, the federal government and the United States signed a pact that resulted in a government to government acquisition of military equipment out of which we are expecting 12 Tucano aircraft or fighter planes that will help combat insecurity.
“I am aware that six of them are coming to the country in the months of July and August.”
Then US President, Mr Donald Trump and President Muhammadu Buhari had reached an agreement for the sales of the fighter planes to Nigeria during a 2018 meeting at the White House.
“We are also helping our Nigerian partners by facilitating intelligence, cooperation, and providing training and military equipment to Nigerian forces,” Mr Trump had said.
“For example, we recently sold Nigeria 12 US A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, great aircraft, in the first-ever sale of American military equipment to Nigeria.
“This new aircraft will improve Nigeria’s ability to target terrorists and protect civilians.”
The arrival of the aircraft has been touted as a major boost to the country where mass abduction of students, banditry, and terrorism have become commonplace in northern Nigeria, while separatist movements have gained momentum in the south.
