Pakistan on Friday (today) formally handed over three domestically produced JF-17 Thunder fighter aircrafts to Nigerian Air Force in an official ceremony held at Nigerian Air Force Base Makurdi, Nigeria.
According to DGPR Pakistan Air Force (DGPR PAF), the three JF-17 Thunder fighter aircrafts have been manufactured by Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra (PAC) and were handed over to Nigerian Air Force on the occasion of its 57th anniversary.
The ceremony was attended by Minister of Defence of Nigeria Maj Gen (Rtd) Bashir Magashi as the Guest of Honour representing the President, along with PAF’s Air Marshal Syed Noman Ali, Vice Chief of the Air Staff, who attended the event as special guest of Nigerian Air Force.
Addressing the ceremony, the Guest of Honour expressed his gratitude to Pakistan and PAF for sustained cooperation & partnership for enhancing NAF's capabilities to meet security challenges. He added, “We are happy and excited on the addition of JF-17 aircraft from Pakistan”. pic.twitter.com/ZO42Ls1dBi
— DGPR (AIR FORCE) (@DGPR_PAF) May 21, 2021
Addressing the ceremony, the Guest of Honour 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.
“We are happy and excited on the addition of JF-17 fighter aircraft from Pakistan,” he said.
Meanwhile, Air Marshal Syed Noman Ali remarked the event as not only a historical landmark for Pakistan’s JF-17 program but was also a reflection of strong military cooperation and mutual trust between Nigeria and Pakistan.
JF-17 aircraft with its unique fighting capabilities would prove to be a potent platform in addressing the security requirements of Nigeria, he said.
Furthermore, the Air Marshal Syed Noman Ali reiterated PAC’s resolve to provide all out support to Nigerian Air Force in meeting all its requirements in future as well.
