By John Ikani
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Thursday said the first batch of six A-29 Super Tucano aircrafts have departed the United States of America on Wednesday en route to Nigeria.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said the six aircrafts will be leapfrogged through five countries including Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Spain and Algeria before arriving their final destination in Nigeria towards the end of July, 2021.
Gabkwet who said an official induction ceremony of the aircraft into the inventory of the Nigerian Air Force was already being planned at a later date in August this year, added that the Office of the Director of Public Relations and Information remains open to any inquiry regarding the arrival and induction of the aircraft.
What you should know
The Federal Government in February 2018 placed an order for 12 Super Tucano aircraft at a cost of $496million. Several delivery dates have been announced for the aircraft before Thursday’s announcement.
The armed Super Tucanos are intended for use against terrorist groups, the Boko Haram and Islamic State militants, they have come off the production line in Jacksonville Florida, and they have been equipped and have undergone flight tests.
The Air Force had last year stated that air fighters from Nigeria were already in the U.S. receiving additional training on the usage and the applications of the fighter jets when eventually added to the fleet of combat aircraft.
