Nigeria inducted JF-17 Thunder aircraft from Pakistan
Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra formally handed over three JF-17 Thunder aircraft to Nigerian Air Force, during a graceful ceremony held at Nigerian Air Force Base, Makurdi.
The three JF-17 Thunder were inducted on the occasion of the 57th anniversary of Nigerian Air Force.
“We are happy and excited on the addition of JF-17 fighter aircraft from Pakistan” said Minister of Defence of Nigeria Maj Gen (Rtd) Bashir Magashi. He expressed his gratitude to Pakistan and Pakistan Air Force for sustained bilateral cooperation and partnership for enhancing Nigerian Air Force capabilities to meet Nigeria’s security challenges.
Air Marshal Syed Noman Ali, Vice Chief of the Air Staff of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) was invited to attend the ceremony as special guest of Nigerian Air Force.
Addressing the ceremony, Air Marshal Syed Noman Ali said that today’s event was not only a historical landmark for Pakistan’s JF-17 program but also reflected “strong military cooperation and mutual trust between Nigeria and Pakistan.”
Pakistan’s JF-17 fighter, with its unique fighting capabilities, would prove to be a potent platform in addressing the security requirements of Nigeria, he said. He also assured that Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Aeronautical Complex would continue to provide all-out support to Nigerian Air Force in meeting all its requirements.
PAC Kamra delivered the aircraft to NAF as per the scheduled timelines earlier this year in March, despite the COVID-19 pandemic impediments.