Nigerian military and political leadership has unanimously conveyed complete satisfaction on the performance of newly inducted JF-17 fighter aircraft handed over by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex.
General Nadeem Raza, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, who was on official visit to Nigeria, said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement on Saturday. He was called on Muhammadu Buhari, President of Nigeria. He also had separate meetings with Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi (Retd), Defence Minister, General Leo Irabor, Chief of Defence Staff, and chiefs of the tri-services.
President of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari conveyed his feelings of high esteem for the Pakistan armed forces. He specially thanked Pakistan and its Armed Forces for their consistent support to Nigeria in its war against terrorism. The chairman JCSC also reiterated that Pakistan is keen to expand its existing bilateral military to military cooperation with Nigeria.
Nigerian Defence Minister Bashir Magashi, on the occasion, thanked Pakistan and its Air Force for their role in modernising the local service and helping Nigeria meet its security challenges. “We are happy and excited about the addition of JF-17 fighter aircraft from Pakistan,” he said. The Nigerian Air Force’s main operational and security concern remains the militant group Boko Haram in the country’s north and it is believed the JF-17 will make a considerable impact in addressing the threat.
The aircraft is quite suitable for counterinsurgency operations, as it carries a wide variety of weapons, including several with considerable stand-off ranges. The electro-optical pod is also available for pinpoint attacks round the clock. The aircraft is likely to prove a game changer.
