NAF receives two multi-purpose special aircraft

Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Vice Admiral Hassan Abubakar, has confirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to end terrorism and other forms of criminality in the country.

Abubakar said this, yesterday, in Ilorin during the official reception and inauguration of four Diamond Multi-Purpose Platform Special Mission Aircraft at the 303 Medium Airlift Group, Ilorin, Kwara State.

He described the induction of the platforms as indication of the Federal Government’s sincerity and commitment to peace and stability.

Convinced that with the delivery of the administration, his men were ready to face terrorists and general insecurity head on, Abubakar said: “However, for the terrorists and other criminal elements operating within our borders, be assured that your days are numbered, because wherever you are hiding, we shall surely find you and take you out, if you are unwilling to repent.

“The event we are witnessing today began about two years ago when the Federal Government appropriated the funds for the acquisition of four Diamond 62 Multi-Purpose Special Mission Aircraft for NAF. Out of the four, the first two were delivered between February and July 2023.”

It is, therefore, a great delight to be here with you today to witness the delivery and reception of the last two that were acquired.”

According to him, the DA62 is a five- to seven-seat, twin-engine light multipurpose aircraft produced by Messrs Diamond Aircraft Industries of Austria.

“The Diamond 62 aircraft can be used for pilot training and light liaison missions. It can also be configured for manned Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions. These functionalities are achieved through the ARGOS II camera payload system mounted on each aircraft,” he said.

Abubakar informed that besides the Diamond 62 aircraft inducted, yesterday, the Federal Government was in the process of acquiring additional combat platforms for NAF.

“They include 24 x M346FA aircraft and 12 x AW109 Trekker light utility/light attack helicopters both from Messrs Leonardo as well as 12 x AH-1Z Super Cobra and 6 x T-129 ATAK attack helicopters from Messrs Bell Helicopters and Messrs Turkish Aerospace Industry. Further, the NAF is expecting to take delivery of 2 x King Air 360i Beechcraft aircraft before the end of the year.

“As we receive these Diamond 62 Multi-Purpose Platform Special Mission Aircraft today, I urge all personnel, both air and ground crew, that will be handling these platforms to ensure they are properly handled and operated following the recommended practices by the Original Equipment Manufacturer,” he said.

The flag Officer Commanding, Mobility Command, Air Vice Marshall Tajudeen Yusuf, lauded the leadership of NAF making things happen.

He said: “The reason for acquisition of the Diamond 62 Multi-Purpose Platform by NAF majorly stems from the aircraft’s capability to carry out robust ISR missions in furtherance of combat operations.

“Indeed, modern day warfare is no longer effective without credible and actionable intelligence as well as intelligent shaping of the battle space.”

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, in his goodwill message, congratulated the CAS on the successful delivery and reception of the last two sets of Diamond 62 Multi-purpose Platform Special Mission Aircraft to 303 Medium Airlift Group Ilorin.