The director of public relations and information of the Nigerian Air Force, AVM Edward Gabkwet, says the NAF will become the third largest air force in Africa in the next two years.

Mr Gabkwet said this on Tuesday in Abuja at a news conference to commence the NAF’s 60th anniversary.

He said that NAF was expecting to take delivery of at least 48 additional fighter aircraft into its inventory in the next one or two years.

Mr Gabkwet said the NAF was expecting 12 AH-10 fighter helicopters from the U.S. and 24 M-346 from Italy. He noted that six will arrive this year, “and we are getting 12 trackers.”

”So, we are talking about 48 coming to the country, of course, adding up to the other aircraft we expect from Turkey and the ones we have received, like Super Tucano and all that,” he stated.

”So if you talk of strength and number, a lot is going to change, and of course, once you have this kind of strength, we are talking about spread.

”So, moving forward from now on, you will see changes. You are going to see a much more formidable Nigerian air force that can move at ease and take its time to cover all of those ungovernable spaces that these criminals have continued to take advantage of,’’ he said.

Mr Gabkwet also said the NAF was committed to improving its operations and was modernising and changing its approach.

According to him, the nation has a safety-conscious air force dedicated to ensuring peace and security in all parts of the country.

”If we can cover the activities of criminals in the Niger Delta area and the terrorists all over the country that are denying our people access to their farms, it will translate to meaningful benefits for our people.

”So, we must be optimistic about the future, and we must continue to trust our services, the air force, the navy, the army and all security agencies to ensure we get the support’,’ Mr Gabkwet added.

(NAN)