The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says Super Tucano fighter aircraft would boost airpower and will be a game-changer in the theatre of operations, but alone cannot end the insurgency.
Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, who said this during a meeting with journalists on Wednesday, added that though the fighter jets have brought positive improvement to the war against insurgency, there is more to do.
The NAF on August 31, inducted six A-29 Super Tucano fighter jets and is expecting 14 more in the next few months.
Represented by Air Vice-Marshal Daniel Gwani, the air chief said only collective effort of stakeholders in the security affairs of the nation to end the war.
“Someone said when Super Tucanos come, the whole problem is going to be solved. I think that is a misunderstanding of airpower and its rules, particularly in the type of operations we are conducting,” Amao said.
“The Super Tucanos have brought in a lot of might to the fight and I can tell you for a fact that as we speak now the airplanes are operating in the North-east. I can tell you for a fact that there is a very positive response as to the effectiveness of the operations of the airplanes.
“But I also want to clarify something here that airpower alone cannot win this war, it will take a collective effort of the military and civil society organisations and all other stakeholders.”
