• Home
  • Anti-Corruption
  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
  • National
    • Government
  • Security
  • Features
  • State
  • Event
    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Search
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
PRNIGERIA PRNigeria News
PRNIGERIA PRNIGERIA
  • Home
  • Anti-Corruption
    • ICPC Secures Conviction of Rector for Running Unaccredited Degree Programmes

      Engr Abba Babagana Dalori

      Engr Dalori Forfeits Galaxy Hospital, Petrol Station, Properties & Cash

      Chinese nationals jailed in Lagos

      Court Jails Nine Chinese Nationals for Cybercrime in Lagos

      ASUU

      Tackle Corruption, Institutional Decay – ASUU Charges FG

      EFCC Arraigns Bauchi Accountant General Over N8bn Fraud as Court Sentences…

  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
    • Customs Partners US Mission to Prevent Expanded Visa Ban

      Nigeria Customs Partners China on Smarter Ports, Officer Training, Reforms

      Comptroller General Nigerian Customs Bashir Adewale

      Customs Moves Against 223 Importers in N379bn Permit Breach

      Bashir Adewale Adeniyi Customs Boss

      How Customs is Tightening Borders to Stop Illicit Cash Flows –…

      Customs boss, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi with NAFDAC DG Professor Moji Adeyeye

      Codeine, Tramadol Worth ₦20.5bn Seized as Customs-NAFDAC Cooperation Deepens

  • National
    • Army Commander keeps 100 students in school

      Army Commander’s Compassion Keeps 100 Students in School in Zamfara

      Sam Obi Sponsors 500 students

      Sam Obi Sponsors 500 Students in Evergreen, SimplifiedIQ’s Education Program

      CG Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi

      NIPR Hails customs Boss’ Tenure Extension as Evidence of Transformational Leadership

      Comptroller General Customs Bashir Adewale and his staffs with the representatives of the European Union, the German Embassy

      Customs Unveils Renewable Energy Handbook, Strengthens EU-Germany-GIZ Partnership

      University of Maiduguri

      UNIMAID Mass Comm becomes Faculty of Communication and Media Studies

    • Government
      • Northern leaders at Arewa Summit

        Northern Leaders Urge Action on Almajiri Crisis, Equitable Resources at Arewa…

        Saidu Ahmed Alkali,

        Kaduna-Kano Light Rail Underway as FG Targets ₦70bn Investment

        Beyond Hoes and Sticks: The Power of Education for Peace in…

        National Blood Service Agency

        FG Pledges Stronger Support for Blood Services, Seeks Scalable Interventions from…

        Tinubu’s Government Unveils Multi-Sectoral Initiatives to Boost Northern Region’s Development

  • Security
    • Nigerian Navy

      Navy to Establish  Base in Kebbi to Tackle Inland Waterway Crimes

      Army Commander keeps 100 students in school

      Army Commander’s Compassion Keeps 100 Students in School in Zamfara

      Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, receiving the land document from Governor Pastor Umo Bassey Eno in Akwa Ibom

      Akwa Ibom Boosts National Security with Land Donation for Nigerian Air…

      Military Troops in Action

      Army Troops, DSS Nab Arms Trafficker in Taraba, Recover Ammunition, Cash

      Inspector-General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun

      IG Reaffirms Commitment to Tackling Oil Theft, Upholding Human Rights

  • Features
    • Okello Oculi

      Okello Oculi: A Pan-Africanist Asteroid Burns out Forever By Is’haq Modibbo…

      Leon Usigbe

      Death, you can’t be Proud of this By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem 

      Tinubu’s Plateau Gambit – Yilwatda, 2027, and the Return of the…

      Ozumi and a recipient of a wheelchair

      Wheels of Hope: How a Simple Gift is Reshaping Lives at…

      Late Ex-President Muhammadu Buhari and Mansur Liman

      “Buhari: A Blunt, Honest Leader Who Laughed at His Own Predicament”

  • State
    • Army Commander keeps 100 students in school

      Army Commander’s Compassion Keeps 100 Students in School in Zamfara

      Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, receiving the land document from Governor Pastor Umo Bassey Eno in Akwa Ibom

      Akwa Ibom Boosts National Security with Land Donation for Nigerian Air…

      Nigerian Army

      Army Denies Allegations of Misconduct in Imo Community

      Military Troops in Action

      Troops Repel Bandit Attacks in Katsina, Plateau, Recover Rustled Cattle, Sustain…

      Nigerian Navy Personnel

      Navy Destroys 10 Illegal Refineries in Niger Delta

  • Event
    • Sam Obi Sponsors 500 students

      Sam Obi Sponsors 500 Students in Evergreen, SimplifiedIQ’s Education Program

      Comptroller General Customs Bashir Adewale and his staffs with the representatives of the European Union, the German Embassy

      Customs Unveils Renewable Energy Handbook, Strengthens EU-Germany-GIZ Partnership

      University of Maiduguri

      UNIMAID Mass Comm becomes Faculty of Communication and Media Studies

      CG Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi

      Tinubu’s Extension of Customs CG Bashir Adeniyi’s Tenure Draws Widespread Praise…

      Northern leaders at Arewa Summit

      Northern Leaders Urge Action on Almajiri Crisis, Equitable Resources at Arewa…

    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Home General NAF Bolsters Airpower, Neutralizes 3,496 Terrorists, Acquires 15 New Aircraft
  • General
  • National
  • Security

NAF Bolsters Airpower, Neutralizes 3,496 Terrorists, Acquires 15 New Aircraft

By
Prnigeria
-
June 20, 2025
NAF Airstrikes, NAF Air, NAF jets
NAF Airstrike fighter jets

NAF Bolsters Airpower, Neutralizes 3,496 Terrorists, Acquires 15 New Aircraft

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has significantly boosted its operational capabilities, acquiring 15 new aircraft and neutralizing over 3,496 terrorists in the last year, with an additional 49 platforms expected by the end of 2026.

This was revealed by Air Vice Marshal Edwards Gabkwet, speaking on behalf of the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal HB Abubakar, at an Expanded Parley with Media Executives hosted by the Chief of Defence Staff, General CD Musa, at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.

Air Vice Marshal Gabkwet highlighted the NAF’s commitment to becoming an agile and resilient force. He stated that the goal of the Chief of Air Staff is to establish a well-equipped service capable of operating effectively independently or jointly with other services to deliver airpower in any operational environment.

In the past two years, the NAF has seen a significant boost in its operational capabilities with the acquisition of 15 brand-new aircraft. These include six T-129 ATAK helicopters, two AW-109 Trekkers, three Beechcraft King Air aircraft, and four Diamond 62 aircraft. Looking ahead, the NAF anticipates receiving an additional 49 platforms before the end of 2026, including three CASA 295 aircraft, ten AW 109 Trekker helicopters, twelve AH 1Z helicopters, and twenty-four M 346 fighter aircraft. These new platforms are expected to further reinforce the NAF’s readiness to meet Nigeria’s airpower demands effectively.

The newly acquired platforms have demonstrably enhanced the NAF’s operational effectiveness, enabling a surge in missions across various theaters. Air Vice Marshal Gabkwet detailed the extensive flight hours and sorties conducted: over 4,500 hours in 2,304 sorties for 1,974 counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency (CTCOIN) missions within the past year. From January to May this year alone, the NAF has flown over 832 hours in 469 sorties for CTCOIN. For anti-banditry missions, over 4,670 hours in 2,713 sorties were flown for 2,610 missions between 2023 and 2024. This year, the NAF has already flown 2,000 hours in 919 sorties for anti-banditry operations.

In counter-crude oil theft missions, 1,450 hours in 453 sorties were flown for 366 missions between 2023 and 2024. From January to May this year, 751 hours were flown in 340 sorties for these missions, contributing significantly to an improvement in Nigeria’s crude oil and condensate production. These missions have been crucial in attaining operational objectives and bolstering national security.

The NAF has also made significant strides in in-country maintenance and aircraft reactivation.

Read Also:

  • Army Commander’s Compassion Keeps 100 Students in School in Zamfara
  • Sam Obi Sponsors 500 Students in Evergreen, SimplifiedIQ’s Education Program
  • NIPR Hails customs Boss’ Tenure Extension as Evidence of Transformational Leadership

Through the “meticulous efforts of our aircraft and armament engineers and technicians,” the NAF successfully conducted its first-ever in-country 4800 hours inspection on a Do 228 aircraft. Additionally, a Do-228 aircraft that had been grounded for approximately 23 years was successfully reactivated. Other reactivated aircraft include two AW 109EM, one Mi 35p, and one Mi 171 helicopters, and one ATR 42 aircraft. Platforms currently undergoing reactivation include one Super Puma helicopter, one Citation 680 aircraft, one ATR 42 aircraft, one Bell 412 helicopter, and two AW 109EM helicopters. These efforts have resulted in an average serviceability rate of about 72 percent, enabling the NAF to sustain its operations.

The NAF’s air operations have yielded significant results in combating insecurity across various regions. In Operation HADIN KAI (Northeast), from June 2023 to date, the Air Component has neutralized over 3,496 terrorists, destroyed 775 structures/logistics, and eliminated 218 combat vehicles. In Operation FANSAN YAMMA (Northwest), since October last year, the Air Components have neutralized over 2,154 terrorists, destroyed 669 structures, and about 271 motorbikes.

In Operation DELTA SAFE, kinetic and non-kinetic airpower employment has positively impacted the Nigerian economy, leading to a significant improvement in Nigeria’s crude oil and condensates production.

Air Vice Marshal Gabkwet emphasized the NAF’s commitment to accountability and continuous improvement. He acknowledged mishaps and stated the NAF takes full responsibility, striving for continuous improvement in operational safety and civilian harm mitigation. Just last month, the NAF launched its civilian harm mitigation and response plan to guide the effective employment of airpower and prevent collateral damage.

Beyond operations, the welfare of personnel remains a top priority. Over 482 infrastructural projects have been initiated across NAF bases, with 30% focused on accommodation. This has reduced the housing deficit by 25%, with a target of 50% by mid-2025.

In the past 24 months, the NAF has intensified its training and capacity development initiatives. Thousands of officers and airmen have received training locally and abroad. Within the last year alone, over 565 personnel completed foreign courses, comprising 177 flying courses and 455 ground training courses. The NAF has also deployed new simulators and immersive learning technologies to prepare for the future of warfare.

Despite these achievements, Air Vice Marshal Gabkwet highlighted key challenges impeding the NAF’s efforts. These include funding given current economic realities, and overstretched assets due to the widespread nature of joint military or multi-agency operations across all geo-political zones in Nigeria.

This frequent redeployment of limited air assets across vast geographical areas overstrains resources and limits the ability to concentrate force. Furthermore, international politics and Western sanctions against some countries have hindered the procurement of aircraft, spares, maintenance activities, and training. Additionally, some countries and international organizations link arms sales to human rights conditions, leading to delays in the availability of needed munitions and aircraft based on perceived or actual human rights abuses.

Air Vice Marshal Gabkwet concluded by reaffirming that, despite the challenges, the Nigerian Air Force has continued to “soar higher, stronger, and more resilient than ever” over the past two years, asserting control over the skies and advancing human capital.

By PRNigeria

VISIT OUR OTHER WEBSITES
PRNigeria.com EconomicConfidential.com PRNigeria.com/Hausa/
EmergencyDigest.com PoliticsDigest.ng TechDigest.ng
HealthDigest.ng SpokesPersonsdigest.com TeensDigest.ng
ArewaAgenda.com Hausa.ArewaAgenda.com YAShuaib.com
  • TAGS
  • Acquires 15 New Aircrafts
  • Bolsters Airpower
  • Neutralizes 3496 Terrorists
  • Nigerian air force
Previous articleAnambra Police Launch Manhunt as 2 Killed, 2 Abducted in Cult-Linked Shooting
Next articleBefore Condemning Iran: A Glimpse into 30 Disturbing U.S. Military Interventions Since WWII By Yassim Dukawuya
Prnigeria
Prnigeria

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

Nigerian Navy

Navy to Establish  Base in Kebbi to Tackle Inland Waterway Crimes

Army Commander keeps 100 students in school

Army Commander’s Compassion Keeps 100 Students in School in Zamfara

Sam Obi Sponsors 500 students

Sam Obi Sponsors 500 Students in Evergreen, SimplifiedIQ’s Education Program

CG Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi

NIPR Hails customs Boss’ Tenure Extension as Evidence of Transformational Leadership

Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, receiving the land document from Governor Pastor Umo Bassey Eno in Akwa Ibom

Akwa Ibom Boosts National Security with Land Donation for Nigerian Air Force Base

Comptroller General Customs Bashir Adewale and his staffs with the representatives of the European Union, the German Embassy

Customs Unveils Renewable Energy Handbook, Strengthens EU-Germany-GIZ Partnership

University of Maiduguri

UNIMAID Mass Comm becomes Faculty of Communication and Media Studies

CG Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi

Tinubu’s Extension of Customs CG Bashir Adeniyi’s Tenure Draws Widespread Praise and Reactions

Military Troops in Action

Army Troops, DSS Nab Arms Trafficker in Taraba, Recover Ammunition, Cash

Inspector-General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun

IG Reaffirms Commitment to Tackling Oil Theft, Upholding Human Rights

Northern leaders at Arewa Summit

Northern Leaders Urge Action on Almajiri Crisis, Equitable Resources at Arewa Summit in Kaduna

Nigerian Army

Army Denies Allegations of Misconduct in Imo Community

Recent Posts

  • Navy to Establish  Base in Kebbi to Tackle Inland Waterway Crimes
  • Army Commander’s Compassion Keeps 100 Students in School in Zamfara
  • Sam Obi Sponsors 500 Students in Evergreen, SimplifiedIQ’s Education Program
  • NIPR Hails customs Boss’ Tenure Extension as Evidence of Transformational Leadership
  • Akwa Ibom Boosts National Security with Land Donation for Nigerian Air Force Base
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
© 2020 PRNigeria. All Rights Reserved.
Latest News
Army Commander's Compassion Keeps 100 Students in School in ZamfaraSam Obi Sponsors 500 Students in Evergreen, SimplifiedIQ's Education ProgramNIPR Hails customs Boss' Tenure Extension as Evidence of Transformational LeadershipAkwa Ibom Boosts National Security with Land Donation for Nigerian Air Force BaseCustoms Unveils Renewable Energy Handbook, Strengthens EU-Germany-GIZ PartnershipUNIMAID Mass Comm becomes Faculty of Communication and Media StudiesTinubu’s Extension of Customs CG Bashir Adeniyi’s Tenure Draws Widespread Praise and ReactionsArmy Troops, DSS Nab Arms Trafficker in Taraba, Recover Ammunition, CashIG Reaffirms Commitment to Tackling Oil Theft, Upholding Human RightsNorthern Leaders Urge Action on Almajiri Crisis, Equitable Resources at Arewa Summit in KadunaArmy Denies Allegations of Misconduct in Imo CommunityTroops Repel Bandit Attacks in Katsina, Plateau, Recover Rustled Cattle, Sustain CasualtiesNavy Destroys 10 Illegal Refineries in Niger DeltaJUST IN: Tinubu Extends Tenure of Customs CG Bashir AdeniyiAI-generated disinformation looms ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections
X whatsapp