As part of activities marking the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) 57th anniversary celebration, President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday inducted three new JF-17 Thunder Multi-role fighter aircraft into the inventory of the NAF to boost its operation.
Performing the ceremony in Makurdi during the anniversary grand finale, Buhari said that the Service has fulfilled its constitutional mandate of defending the nation’s territorial integrity.
“At this juncture, I hereby induct the JF-17 Thunder aircraft into the service of the Nigerian Air Force and our fatherland as NAF 720, 721 and 722. As you fly these machines, I wish you safe flying operations, safe skies as well as effective results,” he said.
Buhari, represented by the Minister of Defense, Retired Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi, said that the three aircrafts would boost the operational capacity of the Service and add significant fight against terrorism, insurgency, armed banditry and other forms of criminalities.
He said that the induction of the aircraft was another step toward fulfilling one of the promises he made at the beginning of his administration, which was to improve the infrastructure and equipment dispositions of the Armed Forces.
“It is indeed fitting that the grand finale of this year’s celebration is being marked with the induction of three brand new JF-17 Thunder multi-role fighter aircrafts into the inventory of the Nigerian Air Force.
“This induction ceremony is also most rewarding to me because it marks another step in the fulfilment of one of the promises I made at the beginning of my administration, to improve the infrastructure and equipment dispositions of the Armed Forces and other security agencies to enhance their output, professionalism and service delivery.
“The 3 JF-17 Thunder fighter ground attack aircraft being added to the inventory of the Nigerian Air Force today will no doubt boost the operational capacity of the Service.
“And add significant impetus to the fight against terrorism, insurgency, armed banditry and other forms of criminality in the country,” he said.
Buhari said that NAF, since its establishment in 1964, has played critical roles in national security as well as in peacekeeping operations on the African continent.
Earlier, in his address, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, said that NAF has inducted a total of 26 aircrafts between 2015 till date, including the three newly inducted aircraft.
Amao also disclosed that the service was expecting additional 20 aircrafts into the country as from July this year.
