Nigeria To Deploy DA-42 Surveillance Aircraft, Others

The Minister of Defence, Major-General Bashir Magashi (rtd) has assured that in addition to the recent procurement of J-F17 Thunder multi-role aircraft and Super Tucano attack aircraft to enhance the capacity of the Air Force to tackle current security challenges in the country, the country is also expecting the delivery of the DA-42 surveillance aircraft, A109 Trekker helicopters and Beechcraft KA-360i aircraft.

The Minister spoke in Kaduna on Saturday as 49 new officers were commissioned and 1,549 recruits enlisted into the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).

Represented by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, the minister charged the military to protect the lives and property of Nigerians in the face of the various security challenges bedevilling the country.

He said the military profession was more than just a job, but a career that required hard work, especially at this crucial time in Nigeria’s history, when the Nation was battling the challenges of insecurity on several fronts.

The Minister served as the Reviewing Officer at the Combined Passing Out Parade of Cadets of Branch Commission 1/2022 and Recruits of Basic Military Training Course 42/2021 at the NAF Military Training Centre, Kaduna.

He charged the new officers, personnel and other officers and men of the service to ensure optimal utilization of resources at their disposal while subordinating their personal interests to those of the Service and the Nation.