10 A-29 Tucano Jets Ready for Delivery as National Assembly Team Visits US, Shares Photos
- Nigeria's fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security crisis is set to get a major boost
- This is as the US company manufacturing the NAF Tucano jets said 10 out of the 12 are ready for delivery
- The company said six of the jets will reportedly be delivered in July while the rest will be delivered in October 2021
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Ten out of the 12 Tucano jets the Nigerian government purchased from the United States are ready for delivery.
This was disclosed in a statement released on Thursday, May 27, by the spokesman of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet.
Source: Twitter
Legit.ng gathers that Colonel Authur Ford of the United States Air Force Fighters and Advance Aircraft Directorate made this known to the National Assembly Joint Committee on Defence and Air Force.
The lawmakers are currently in the US on an inspection tour of Embraer Defence Security Incorporated (EDSI), the manufacturers of the NAF A-29 Super Tucano aircraft.
Members of the committee, Legit.ng learns, are in the US to assess the status and progress of work on the jets amid the rising security challenges in Nigeria.
Briefing the NASS team led by Senator Michael Nnachi, Colonel Ford stated that 10 out of the 12 aircraft were ready for delivery while the remaining two were undergoing modification and integration to NAF specific operational configuration.
He went on to state that six of the aircraft are scheduled to arrive in Nigeria in July 2021 while the remaining 6 will be delivered before the end of October 2021.
The NASS team was assured that the aircraft, expected to play critical roles in the fight against insurgency and criminality, would be delivered as planned.
In his response, Senator Nnachi commended the company for the quality of work on the fighter jets.
He, however, queried why it is taking so long to deliver the jets since the full payment has been made about three to four years ago,
Responding, Col Ford said the long duration was due to the challenges of configuring the aircraft to fit NAF’s required specifications.
Nigerians condemn NASS visit
Nigerians on social media appear not to be happy with the lawmakers' visit as they consider it a waste of scarce resources.
Ajadi Kolawole Kblack said:
"This is wasting of tax payers money, what did they know about the jet and why not only air Force personnel..."
Mfon Essien said:
"Wastage ,oh my God,tell me what this guys who goes there knows about aircraft engineering,just jamboree to show u are a Senator, waisting the little resources that could av been used for something meaningful,this country constitution,needs total overhaul"
Oladele Bello said:
"This can't be true. Why for God sake this NASS members love to waste scares resources at this point in time of our nation. May God help us. Amen."
Chibuisi Mba said:
"You people should not be compromise again and return with refurbished aircraft...by the way do you really need to travel with this multitudes in the name of inspection"
Splendour Noni said:
"Just another way to chop money for transport... why go there do they know the technical know how"
NAF takes delivery of fighter jet
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force on Thursday, May 20, inducted 3 new JF-17 multi-role Thunder aircraft acquired by the President Muhammdu Buhari-led administration into its inventory.
Legit.ng gathered that the induction ceremony took place at the Nigerian Air Force base in Makurdi, Benue state.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, said NAF under President Buhari inducted 26 brand-new aircraft into its inventory.
Source: Legit.ng
