Spread the love

Nigerian Air Force Graduates 35 New Pilots to Strengthen National Security

Expanding Aviation Capacity Amid Ongoing Operations

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has significantly bolstered its operational capabilities with the graduation of 35 new pilots from the 401 Flying Training School (FTS) in Kaduna. These aviation officers will immediately be deployed for critical national assignments across various operational theaters.

Modern Fleet Expansion Supports Pilot Training

This graduation comes just six months after NAF announced the acquisition of 12 new fighter aircraft to enhance its combat readiness. The force has been actively modernizing its fleet, with recent additions including:

2 King Air 360i light transport aircraft
4 T-129 ATAK helicopters
2 Agusta Westland 109 Trekker helicopters
4 DA-62 surveillance aircraft

Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff, revealed plans for further expansion, including the imminent delivery of 24 M-346 fighter aircraft and 10 additional Agusta Westland 109 Trekker helicopters from Italy.

Diverse Cohort of Aviation Professionals

The graduating class consists of two distinct groups:

10 Basic Transport Course graduates
25 Ab-initio Student Pilots

A Call to National Service

During the combined graduation ceremony, Air Marshal Abubakar emphasized the profound responsibility carried by the new pilots:

“Earning your flying qualification is not just a personal achievement, it is a national responsibility. You carry not just rank and wings, but the hopes of millions of Nigerians who depend on us for safety and security.”

Commitment to Training Excellence

The Air Chief stressed the direct correlation between training quality and operational effectiveness:

“In the Nigerian Air Force, we say that the quality of our training determines the strength of our operations. This is why, under my leadership, we are upgrading training institutions, inducting more aircraft, and evolving our doctrines to meet the demands of modern warfare.”

He highlighted the 401 FTS’s four-decade legacy of excellence, having produced over 700 pilots for the NAF, Nigerian Navy, and several African nations including Republic of Benin, Cape Verde, Niger, Zimbabwe, and Sierra Leone.

Future-Ready Air Force

The graduation marks another milestone in NAF’s transformation into a more agile, resilient, and technology-driven force. The Air Force remains committed to: