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History of The Nigerian Air Force |
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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. |
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