Anti-terror operations : Nigerian Air Force gets 35 new pilots

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has added 35 newly qualified pilots to its ranks following their graduation from the 401 Flying Training School (FTS) in Kaduna, boosting the service’s capacity in its ongoing counter-terrorism campaigns.

Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, disclosed that the pilots will be deployed on “national assignments” to support military operations across various conflict zones.

The graduation ceremony took place less than six months after the Air Force expanded its fleet with 12 new aircraft aimed at enhancing its operational readiness.

In January 2025, the NAF bolstered its assets with the acquisition of two King Air 360i light transport planes, four T-129 ATAK helicopters, two Agusta Westland 109 Trekker helicopters, and four DA-62 surveillance aircraft.

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Speaking at a gathering with Air Force veterans in Kaduna, Air Marshal Abubakar also revealed that the service is expecting an additional 24 M-346 fighter jets and 10 more Agusta Westland 109 Trekker helicopters from Italy to further enhance its capabilities.

The graduating class comprised 10 officers from the Basic Transport Flying Course 5 and 25 from the Ab-initio Student Pilot Course 49.

Addressing the graduates during Saturday’s ceremony, Abubakar emphasized the gravity of their new roles, stating: “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.”

He underscored the link between the quality of training and the effectiveness of operations, noting that under his leadership, the NAF is committed to strengthening its training programs, increasing its fleet, and adapting its strategies to modern combat demands.

“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 said.

He lauded the 401 FTS for its four decades of excellence in pilot training, having produced more than 700 pilots not only for the NAF but also for the Nigerian Navy and several African nations including Benin, Cape Verde, Niger, Zimbabwe, and Sierra Leone.

The Air Chief restated the Air Force’s commitment to enhancing professionalism, improving personnel welfare, and fulfilling its constitutional duty of safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity while contributing to national development.