Retired Major General. Bashir Magashi, the Minister of Defence, on Monday, announced that the Nigerian Navy (NN), has acquired 415 platforms since the inception of the current administration.
Magashi disclosed this at the 25th edition of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration scorecard and ministerial briefing in Abuja.
He explained that the platforms are of different types and mix, adding that the effort is part of the renewal of the Navy’s fleet during the period.
The minister also said that at the same time, NN has also deployed 14 NSS along the country’s coastline in illegal-prone areas under the Point Regime and Control Operations.
Magashi further disclosed that the Buhari administration facilitated the procurement of 16 fast attack ships, while NN took one survey ship (NNS LANA).
The minister also said that at the time, the Nigerian Navy also took delivery of one landing craft transport (NNS KADA).
He added that 10 aluminum airships have joined the NN fleet, while one AW 139 Leonardo and one A109SP helicopter have been delivered to NN.
Magashi said the survey vessel NN NNS LANA has started a systematic hydrographic survey and charting of the country’s coastal and offshore waters.
He also said that the landing ship NNS KADA recently returned from its deployment to Guinea Bissau on the ECOWAS mission.
However, the minister said that in the coming months, NN will send 2 by 76m Endurance Offshore Patrol, 2 by 28m Fast Patrol Craft, and 40 by 9m Fast Patrol Boats and 80 Flat bottom Boats.
Magashi added that the others are: 10 Aluminum AirBoats, three new helicopters and four types of EP 55 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, which will be integrated with the MDA system.
The minister, who also spoke on the acquisition and reactivation of aircraft by the Federal Government, disclosed that it has acquired 38 new aircraft to enhance the training and combat readiness of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) since 2015.
He said the newly acquired aircraft included 10 Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, five Mi-35M combat helicopters and two Bell 412 helicopters.
Others, according to him are: four Agusta 109 Power attack helicopters, two MI-171E helicopters, three JF-17 Thunder multi-role combat aircraft and more recently 12 A-29 Super Tucano aircraft in addition to several Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. (UCAV).
Magashi explained that the NAF has reactivated its hitherto dormant platforms to expand its capabilities to deal with insurgency, terrorism, armed bandits and other forms of criminality.
He said: “For this purpose, 17 aircraft that have been decommissioned previously including super puma, F-7Ni, EC-135, DO-228, Mi-24V, Mi-35P C-130H, L-39ZA and Alpha jet have been reactivated .
“Also, Falcon 900 and ATR 42 aircraft have undergone C-Check inspections at facilities outside the country.
“Indeed for the first time in its history, the NAF has successfully conducted multiple Periodic Depot Maintenance (PDM) in the country on the platform.”
Magashi said the aircraft included two C-130H (NAF 917 and 913) in Lagos, and three L-39ZA aircraft in Kano, two Mi-35P, in Port Harcourt, as well as three Alpha Jet aircraft in Kainji, which also participated. avionics upgrade.
“The latest additions of three JF-Thunder multi-role combat aircraft and 12 A-29 Super Tucano aircraft recently placed on the NAF’s Order of Battle are now deployed in various theaters of operations across the country.
“This is to increase the impetus for counterinsurgency and counterterrorism efforts in the country,” the minister said.