Expedite delivery of fighter aircraft to boost operations, Magashi tells U.S

Defence Minister Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi (retd.) has pleaded with the United States of America (U.S.A) to fast-track the release of the combat action Super Tucano Aircraft procured by the Federal Government to boost military operations.

Magashi spoke yesterday when the Secretary of U.S. Air Force, Barbara Barrett, led a five-man delegation to the Ministry of Defence in Abuja.

Special Assistant to the Minister on Media and Publicity, Mohammad Abdulkadri, announced this in a statement.

The minister said the quick delivery of the aircraft would help the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to demystify the criminal elements in their various hideouts in the forests.

He also said the Nigeria Defence Space Administration would be equipped technologically through a partnership with the U.S Space Force to enhance its capabilities to fight insecurity in the country.

According to him, efficient and effective space management is germane to the successful operations of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies in the effort to defeat insurgency, banditry and kidnapping.

READ ALSO:Buhari celebrates legendary Chukwu at 70

Magashi assured the delegation that Nigeria would continue to strengthen military cooperation with the U.S in the areas of shared interests, such as training, exchange programmes and procurement of weapons, in the nation’s bid to overcome security challenges.

Barrett said Nigeria was a destination of choice in Africa for partnership in harnessing space assets through the instrumentality of science and technology in national defence.

She added that the already established military cooperation between Nigeria and U.S would be taken to the next level to promote peace and tranquility in the country.