By Lengnan Tobias

A Defence expert, retired Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, says President Bola Tinubu has expanded and updated the Nigerian Air Force fleet more than almost anyone else in recent history.

Adesanya who is a former NAF Director of Public Relations and ex-Defence Attache to Moscow, said this in an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said the administration had contributed significantly in equipment and force structure, judging by reports.

“In February 2024, NAF reported the induction of two T-129 ATAK attack helicopters, two Diamond DA-62 surveillance aircraft and a King Air 360ER.

“This was confirmed by the Ministry of Defence in December 2024, when it reported that the administration had facilitated acquisition of 12 advanced aircraft within preceding year.

”The aircraft includes King Air 360i and DA-62 aircraft, T-129 ATAK and AW-109 helicopters, with M-346FA jets, CASA-295 aircraft and AH-1Z Vipers in pipeline,” he said.

He added that NAF recently announced arrival of three AW-109 Trekker B helicopters and two H-125 helicopters, with seven more AW-109s expected before the end of 2026.

“Apparently, because of the nature of defence procurement, which hardly leaves room for off-the-shelf procurements, some of these acquisitions were initiated by previous administration, and probably paid for, either in part or wholly, by Tinubu administration,” he said.

On specific areas of improvement, the expert identified Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capability as seen in acquisitions of DA-62, King Air platforms and newer AW-109 helicopters.

“ISR capability is quite important considering nature of security challenges facing nation. You cannot effectively attack what you cannot locate and positively identify.

“Another area is rotary-wing capability; Nigeria has been expanding its helicopter fleet through T-129 ATAKs, AW-109s, H-125s and forthcoming AH-1Zs, which are more crucial for asymmetric warfare,” he explained.

He said other areas included strengthening of combat power through acquisition of platforms covering attack helicopters, fighter and ground-attack aircraft, surveillance aircraft, light utility helicopters, tactical and medium airlift, armed reconnaissance, ISR as well as training aircraft and associated infrastructure.

He noted that the planned 24 M-346 fighter and ground-attack aircraft were particularly significant because they would give Nigeria another modern fixed-wing combat capability, while AH-1Z programme was specifically designed around close air support, armed escort and precision strike.

“Furthermore, it is noteworthy that AH-1Z package actually includes funding for Air-Ground Integration, including targeting processes and training.

“This will enable ground forces find target, identify it correctly, communicate it to aircraft, strike it precisely, assess result and then exploit effect on ground,” he said.

On gaps, Adesanya said Nigeria needed more than occasional surveillance, but persistent surveillance through layered system involving long-endurance UAVs, tactical UAVs, manned ISR aircraft, satellite imagery, human intelligence and real-time battlefield communications.

“The aim should be to maintain continuous intelligence picture of terrorists and bandits movements.

“Another area I will give considerable attention to is airborne command, control and battle management,” he said.

He stressed the need to develop indigenous technological capacity to enhance maintenance, thereby increasing turnaround times and reducing costs.

“NAF’s tactical airlift capability is heavily dependent on its C-130H fleet, which well over 40 years in service. This needs to be renewed to facilitate movement of troops, logistics supplies and humanitarian supplies, among others,” he added.(NAN)

Edited by Deborah Coker