The Nigerian Air Force has inducted five helicopters to strengthen aerial surveillance and support military operations against terrorism and insurgency across the country.
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, joined President Bola Tinubu at the induction ceremony held at the Presidential Air Fleet, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Thursday.
The event also featured the commissioning of newly constructed Presidential Air Fleet hangars.
According to a statement issued by Matawalle’s Personal Assistant on Media, Ahmad Dan-Wudil, the newly inducted aircraft comprise two Airbus H125 helicopters and three Agusta AW109 Trekker helicopters.
The aircraft are expected to enhance the Air Force’s capacity to conduct surveillance and undertake other mission-critical operations in support of ongoing security efforts.
The statement said the acquisition would strengthen the military’s operational capabilities amid evolving security threats across the country.
It added that the newly constructed hangars would support the operational sustainability of the aircraft and improve the overall readiness of the Presidential Air Fleet.
The ceremony was hosted by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke.
Tinubu, who attended as the Special Guest of Honour, is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The induction is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen the operational capacity of the Nigerian Air Force and improve the military’s response to security challenges.
The statement described the event as another milestone in efforts to enhance the capabilities of the Armed Forces and sustain operations against emerging security threats nationwide.