Nigeria To Spend $495 Million On Procurement Of Military Aircraft

The cost of the aircraft which will be purchased from the American government include maintenance and training of military personnel.

Briefing state house correspondents after the national security council meeting at the Aso rock villa on Thursday, minister of Defence Mansur Dan-Ali said the aircraft will arrive the country in 2020.

He said that in compliance with presidential directive for the establishment of a national commission on the control of small arms and light weapons in the country, his ministry in conjunction with the office of the national security adviser has set up a committee to work out modalities to transform the presidential committee on small arms and light weapons to a national commission.

The defence minister noted that the armed forces is currently collaborating with other security agencies through intelligence sharing and joint operations addressing the various security challenges in the country especially Fulani herdsmen/framers clashes.

He noted that council was informed that the three services have in the last two years enlisted and recruited qualified Nigerians into the armed forces.

This is in compliance with presidential directive to increase the strength of the armed forces to address manpower problem.