JF-17 jets, Other Aircraft Helping Nigeria Win War Against Terrorism: Air Force Chief

Pakistan-made JF-17 fighter jets, American A-29 Super Tucano aircraft and UAVs are helping Nigeria win its "war against terrorism," Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Chief, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao said addressing NAF personnel on December 8.
"There is no doubt that some of the new platforms in NAF’s Order of Battle, particularly the JF-17 Thunder aircraft, the A-29 Super Tucano aircraft and UAVs have been one of the many reasons why we are winning the war against terrorism in the country," he was quoted as saying in an official NAF release.
Nigeria has been making use of its three JF-17 jets armed with missiles and bombs against what the government calls as banditry and terrorism. These are supplemented with U.S. made A-29 Super Tucanos which by agreement with the U.S., have to be used against Boko Haram militants and not other criminals.
There have been reports that Nigeria may order additional JF-17 jets going by their performance in NAF service. However, these additional JF-17s could be the Block III jets which have some major improvements over the Block II jets, currently used by the NAF.

NAF Chief Visits Pakistan Aeronautical Complex
In this context the visit by Air Marshal Amao to Karachi last month during the IDEAS arms show and meeting with top leadership of the Pakistan Air Force and and industry assumes significance. The Block III version of the JF-17 was displayed there.
Air Marshal Amao also informed the personnel that the NAF is expecting the delivery of additional new platforms which the President has approved for the NAF.
These platforms include 2 CASA-295 medium airlift aircraft, 2 Beechcraft King Air 360, 4 Diamond DA-62 surveillance aircraft, 3 Wing Loong II UCAVs and 6 T-129 ATAK helicopters.
Other ongoing acquisitions include 2 Agusta 109 Trekker multi-role helicopters, 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters and 24 M-346 attack aircraft to boost NAF's air power employment and projection capabilities as well as air combat training.
A few of these additional platforms are expected to be delivered to the NAF before the end of First quarter 2023, he said.