THE immediate past Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has said that the 15 aircraft and eight drones being expected by the Nigeria Air Force would help the service to address the security challenges facing the nation.

According to him, the Air Force now has enhanced research and development capacity through its partnership with 15 Nigerian universities aimed at addressing certain aircraft maintenance challenges.

Speaking during the fly-out ceremony at the NAF Base, Airport Road, Abuja, on Tuesday, the 20th CAS, who served for five years, six months and 13 days explained that his administration had added value to what it met in 2015 as well as contribute to the security and development of the nation.

Abubakar noted that the NAF would be able to employ air power more effectively, efficiently and timely in all theatres of operations across the country.

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He said, “I am confident that with the 15 aircrafts and eight unmanned combat aerial vehicles we are expecting in no distant future, the service will be better positioned to be more decisive in addressing the security challenges facing the nation.”