BREAKING: Nigeria Receives First Batch Of A-29 Super Tucano Aircraft [Photos]

The Nigerian Air Force has said that Nigeria has received the first batch of A-29 Super Tucano aircraft procured from the United States of America.

A statement signed by NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said the aircraft arrived in Kano State at about 12.34 p.m on Thursday.

Gabwet noted that the Honourable Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (Rtd), Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao were on hand to receive the aircraft.

Naija News reports that the Federal Government in February 2018 placed an order for 12 Super Tucano aircraft at a cost of $496million.

The fighter jets are expected to boost the operations of the military in its anti-terrorism war against Boko Haram and splinter group, the Islamic State in West Africa Province, in Nigeria’s North-East.

Also, former US President Donald Trump had confirmed the sales of the fighter planes to Nigeria during a 2018 meeting with his Nigerian counterpart, Muhammadu Buhari.

The arrival of the Super Tucano is a major boost to the country’s fight against insurgency, banditry in the Northern region of the country.