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  History of The Nigerian Air Force
Current Status, Efforts and the Future
CURRENT STATUS AND EFFORTS

With the advent of democracy in May 1999, the civilian administration identified the need to have a robust air force. Thus, it began to make committed efforts at revitalizing and restoring the Service. This entailed providing funds for revamping ageing platforms and systems while inducting new ones. The results of these efforts are gradually becoming visible with the arrival of some of the reactivated aircraft and the delivery of new ones. Hence, operations have picked up again and the NAF is on course to regain its glory. Presently, the NAF can boast of platforms essential for core capabilities.

THE FUTURE

In strategising for the future, the NAF recognizes the need to reposition for the challenges of a Nigeria that is developing into the class of first 20 economies of the world and the asymmetric nature of adversaries tactics. Thus, there is an increasing shift from preparation for war against states to “non-traditional functions” or Military Operations Other Than War. With the foregoing in mind and from an analysis of the internal and external environments, the future challenges of the NAF would include the following:

a. Internal Security operations support.
b. Protection of Nigeria’s maritime and energy resources.
c. Increased requirement for military aid to civil power.
d. Defence of Nigeria from external aggression.

In order to counter or contain the challenges, the NAF is rebuilding its capabilities in the following areas:

a. Surveillance and Reconnaissance.
b. Tactical mobility and air transport.
c. Light Ground Attack.
d. Medical/Casualty Evacuation.
e. Maritime Air Patrol.
f. Command Control Computer Communications and Intelligence (C4I).
g. Air Border Patrol.
h. Search and Rescue.
i. Air Defence.

THE VISION

Despite a shaky start and a period of neglect, the NAF has today metamorphosed to a large credible Air Force structured into 3 commands. The future looks even brighter regardless of challenges to its growth. The Service will continue to aim at a high standard of professionalism, operational efficiency and combat readiness in carrying out its roles as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. To this effect, the current Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal OO Petinrin CFR, since assuming office in August 2008, has been unequivocal about the strategic direction and major priorities for the NAF, as encapsulated in his Vision; which is,

 ‘‘To rebuild the operational capability of the Nigerian Air Force for effective and efficient employment as a vital instrument of national power in a rapidly changing world’’.

A key strategy adopted by the current leadership to actualise the envisaged future capability of the NAF is that of localisation of aircraft maintenance towards cost-saving and self-reliance goals. As a result, the NAF has established an umbrella company, the Aeronautical Engineering Company of Nigeria, to which it invites interested reputable aviation firms to partner with. In the same vein, the NAF remains willing to cooperate with other Air Forces of the world for the sustenance of global peace and security.
 
Copyright Nigerian Air Force 2009