The
Nigerian Air Force, in its bid for increased self-reliance, has
successfully reconfigured 2 demilitarised Alpha Jet in its inventory
that were hitherto acquired without weapon delivery capability. The 2
aircraft are among the 4 Alpha Jets bought from the United States in
2015 by the immediate past administration to enhance the operational
capability of the NAF to combat Boko Haram insurgency in the North East.
However, the aircraft could not be deployed to the theatre of operation
before now due to the inherent weapon delivery deficiency hence its
limited use for training purposes. The urgent need, in recent times, to
commit more NAF platforms to OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE to enhance the
success of the counter insurgency operation necessitated the Service to
look inward to seek ways of achieving its drive for self reliance
through research and development.
The
NAF had earlier looked overseas for assistance without much success to
get the aircraft reconfigured for combat roles. A number of vendors
invited to Nigeria to assess the platforms had concluded that it would
be difficult or almost impossible to undertake the project since the
Original Equipment Manufacturer had long closed down the production
line. A few others who agreed to the possibility of having the aircraft
reconfigured to carry munitions also submitted proposals for initial
assessment fees ranging from $20,000 – $30,000 before they could come up
with the actual cost of the project. Convinced that the project would
work, the NAF consequently assembled a team of technicians to develop a
feasible model for the project. The model worked on ground, and has
since been mounted on the Alpha Jets, and test flown successfully. This
feat is a major research and development breakthrough for the NAF and
the Nation as a huge foreign exchange saver given that the project only
cost about N400,000.00 compared to what would be required to have it
done abroad.
You
are please requested to publish this information in your mass media for
the awareness of the general public. Thank you for your usual support
and cooperation.
Group Captain AK Famuyiwa
Director of Public Relations & Information
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