BEIJING, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has inducted the JF-17 Thunder combat aircraft into its fleet as part of an ongoing modernization.
\nNigeria ordered three of the Sino-Pakistani fighters in 2018 to strengthen its air combat capability.<\/p>\n
The Nigerian Air Force officially inducted three JF-17 fighter jets at the country\u2019s Makurdi Air Base, while celebrating the 57th anniversary of the Nigerian Air Force\u2019s founding, Chinese state media said Wednesday.<\/p>\n
These three JF-17 fighter jets were manufactured and delivered by Pakistan Aviation Industries, marking Pakistan\u2019s participation in the modernization of Nigeria\u2019s air force.<\/p>\n
The Nigerian Defense Minister thanked Pakistan for its role in helping Nigeria meet security challenges. \u201cWe are pleased and excited about Pakistan\u2019s delivery of JF-17 fighter jets,\u201d\u009dhe said. \u009d<\/p>\n
In addition, the Pakistan Air Force is responsible for providing training for Nigerian pilots and ground staff and promoting the localization of the training and maintenance process.<\/p>\n
Asked about future cooperation between the two countries, a former Pakistani air force pilot, said further developments were expected. \u201cThe Nigerian Air Force has decided to phase in JF-17 fighter jets, and more new fighters will be in service in the coming months.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
The Nigerian military has been trying to keep its air fleet running, but an aerospace expert says it will no longer be a problem, the report said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I want to say is that a key feature of the JF-17 is its ease of maintenance, which is also in line with expectations for this aircraft,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Combining lightweight fuselage with modern manufacturing technology, the aircraft features an RD-33 series engine and digital electronics that should give Nigeria\u2019s fighter fleet better operational readiness than before.<\/p>\n
But he added: \u201cWith only a small number of JF-17 fighter jets currently ordered (in Nigeria), it remains to be seen whether the theoretical advantages here will increase in practice.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BEIJING, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has inducted the JF-17 Thunder combat aircraft into its fleet as part of an ongoing modernization. Nigeria ordered three of the Sino-Pakistani fighters in 2018 to strengthen its air combat capability. The Nigerian Air Force officially inducted three JF-17 fighter […]<\/p>\n
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