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The Nigerian Air Force has taken delivery of two additional Diamond-62 aircraft.

The service had in July received two of the aircraft, making a total of four DA-62 aircraft.

“The Diamond DA62 is a five-to-seven-seat, twin-engine light multipurpose aircraft produced by Messrs Diamond Aircraft Industries of Austria. The Diamond 62 aircraft can be used for pilot training and light liaison missions. It can also be configured for manned Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions,”  a statement said on Wednesday.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, said the aircraft would add a vibe to the service operations at the various theaters of operations.

The Air Force spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, in a statement, quoted the CAS as saying the two aircraft received in July had been deployed to troubled areas of the country.

“The NAF earlier today, October 11, 2023, received two additional Diamond-62 aircraft at a brief but colourful ceremony held in Ilorin, Kwara State.

“Abubakar noted that the two DA-62 aircraft received earlier in the year have since been deployed to the operating theaters in support of the ongoing efforts to restore peace and stability in troubled areas within the country,” he said.

Abubakar urged personnel to ensure the proper maintenance and operation of the aircraft in line with recommended best practices by the manufacturer.

He also implored them to leverage the capabilities available on the aircraft to enhance NAF’s operational efficiency.

“The NAF will in no distant time take delivery of additional platforms that include the M346FA aircraft, AW109 Trekker light attack helicopter, AH-1Z Super Cobra, T-129 ATAK helicopters, and the King Air 360i Beechcraft aircraft,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Rufai Ajakaye, that the presence of the NAF and other sister security agencies in the state had helped to sustain the peace in the state.

Reacting to the delivery of the two NAF aircraft, the governor said, “These sophisticated aircraft could not have come at a more auspicious time as the Nigerian Air Force maintains its robust presence in all theatres of operation across the country.”