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 yesterday.
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.
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Africa Today News, New York reports that 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.
‘We are also helping our Nigerian partners by facilitating intelligence, cooperation, and providing training and military equipment to Nigerian forces,’ Trump had said after bilateral talks in the White House.
‘For example, we recently sold Nigeria 12 US A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, great aircraft, in the first-ever sale of American military equipment to Nigeria.
‘This new aircraft will improve Nigeria’s ability to target terrorists and protect civilians.’
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.
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK