The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), has concluded arrangement to acquire 10 super mesh training aircraft from Pakistan Air Force to boost the country’s security.
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, made the disclosure on Saturday at the graduation of Student Pilot Course (SPC) 41B in Kaduna.
He said that the aircraft would be inducted into the 301 Flying Training School, Kaduna.
He said that Pakistani pilots would soon arrive in the country to train Nigerian pilots at the 310 Flying Training School.
He said that the induction of the super mesh aircraft would enhance the capability of student pilots to the full spectrum of military flying training.
The CAS said that in the pursuance of professionalism in the service, 20 out of 42 pilots recently departed Nigeria to be trained abroad.
He said that 10 of the pilots were sent to South Africa while the other 10 were sent to the United Kingdom.
He added that another set of eight pilots were being trained at the International Aviation College, Ilorin.
The CAS said that the NAF was doing everything humanly possible to locate and destroy the radio station allegedly being operated by Boko Haram insurgents.
He commended the grandaunts for completing the flying course within five months, saying, “it is a feat the NAF has not recorded for several years now.’’
Abubakar urged them not to rest on their oars but to strive for greater heights of their careers.
Meanwhile, Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, has said that his administration would support the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian military in finding lasting solution to the nation’s security challenges.
“We have had cause to work with the military in Kaduna state including the NAF Training Command and we recognise the benefits of having the armed forces in Kaduna state and we intend to encourage it
“ We have been giving the NAF and all the armed forces in Kaduna the needed cooperation they deserve.
“We are planning the expansion of Kaduna across the river in the eastern side; we are going to set aside an entire district for the Nigerian military.
“The partnership has brought a lot of benefits to the state; the NAF has played a very important role in restoring peace and security in the state.
“ They have been in the lead with the support we needed when we were fighting cattle rustling.
“They are supporting us in the area of fighting kidnapping and armed robbery, ”he added.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 10 officers graduated from the student pilots course 41B.
The Air Chief also inaugurated newly constructed housing for NAF personnel, including Garden and some road projects. (NAN)