Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar is seeking a quick delivery of the A-29 Super Tucano Attack Aircraft to highten the battle against bandits and insurgents.
The military chief spoke when he hosted the Senior Vice –President of Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) Mr Taco Gilbert in Abuja.
The firm is the manufacturer of the aircraft.
The A-29 Tucano aircraft is a light attack aircraft with a long range, precision munitions. It can operate in the day and at night.
The Air Force chief said a quick delivery of the aircraft would enhance Nigerian Air Force’s (NAF) operational capability for the swift conclusion of the counterinsurgency operations in the North- east.
He commended the visiting delegation which included officials from the Office of Security Cooperation of the United States Embassy in Nigeria.
Abubakar expressed his delight at the US government’s support for the fight against insurgency with the signing of the contract to sell the Super Tucano Aircraft to Nigeria.
He expressed confidence that the counterinsurgency operations in the North- east could be executed more effectively, if the aircraft like the Super Tucano could be made available to the NAF in good time.
He urged the company to expedite production so that at least two of the aircraft would be available to Nigeria within an earlier timeframe, to boost counterinsurgency operations.
Gilbert assured the military chief of the company’s determination to deliver quality aircraft capable of providing the needed impetus for NAF air operations.
He expressed the commitment of the company to provide adequate training for NAF’s air and ground crew to ensure effective and efficient operation of the aircraft.
The SNC Vice – President said: “the company looks forward to continued collaboration with NAF towards building a new air capability to address the security challenges in the country”.
The Federal government in Februaryplaced an order for 12 Super Tucano aircraft at a cost of $496million, with a 2020 delivery date.
The planes will be delivered along with Paveway 11 guided bombs, laser-guided rockets and infrared sensors.
The details were published late August last year in the US Federal Register, according to a report by the website: www.defenceweb.co.za.
The US Defence Security Cooperation Agency on August 3, 2017 announced the Foreign Military Sale of 12 A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, along with weapons, spares and training, to Nigeria in a contract that could be worth $593 million.