The Nigerian Air Force (NAF)’s quest to deal with Boko Haram, armed banditry, and other criminal activities received a major boost.
On Wednesday, December 2, NAF took delivery of a second Mi-171E Helicopter acquired from Serbia by the federal government.
This was made known by NAF, through a statement made available to Legit.ng by its spokesperson, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola.
The brand new helicopter was brought in at exactly 3.15 pm by the Ilyushin 76 Strategic Airlifter aircraft at NAF Base Makurdi.
It was received by Air Vice-Marshal Olusegun Philip, the air officer commanding tactical air command on behalf of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.
The new aircraft is the second of the 2 Mi-171E helicopters procured by the current administration. This brings the total number of brand new aircraft acquired since 2015 to 23.
The newly-received aircraft will now be assembled in Makurdi by a team from the equipment vendor, assisted by NAF technicians, prior to test-flying and formal induction into the NAF.
Meanwhile, it was reported that NAF on Monday, November 30, reacted to reports that the agreement for the supply of 12 A-29 Super Tucano aircraft by the US was in jeopardy due to a bad runway at the 407 Air Combat Training Group (407 ACTG), Kainji, in Niger state.
NAF spokesperson stated that remarks drawn from a speech made by the vice chairman Senate committee on NAF, were taken out of context.
According to Daramola, the aircraft project is on track to be delivered on schedule and in accordance with the terms of the contract.
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