₦airaland Forum

bidexiii:
[/b]CHIEF OF NAVAL STAFF ATTENDS DOHA INTERNATIONAL MARITIME DEFENCE EXHIBITION AND CONFERENCE 2026 [b]

1. In line with need to further bolster Nigerian Navy platform holding, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas (Admiralty Medal), attended the ninth edition of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference tagged
DIMDEX 2026 from 19-22 January 2026 in Qatar. DIMDEX 2026 was held under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sheikh Tamin bin Hamad Al Thani Amir of the State of Qatar and hosted by the Qatar Armed Forces. Notably, DIMDEX is the largest exhibition of maritime defence and security innovations in the Middle East Region and Nigerian Navy’s participation has opened a new vista for improving NN platform composition in line with emerging cutting-edge technology. During the four-day event, several visiting warships from partner nations were berthed at Hamad Port and open to dignitaries and visitors.

2. The CNS interacted with many solution providers in the maritime industry on latest trends and innovations related to acquisition of platforms and transfer of technology to improve the NN’s indigenous ship production capacity. Recall that so far, the NN has built five sea going platforms locally namely; MV SAUKA LAFIA commissioned
in 2010, NNS ANDONI commissioned in 2012, NNS KARADUWA commissioned
in 2016, MV TUG COMMANDER UGWU commissioned in 2016 and NNS OJI commissioned in 2021. The prospects of technology transfer would further reposition the NN towards becoming a leading manufacturer of warships in the African continent.

3. DIMDEX 2026 also afforded the NN the opportunity to preview various options of precision guided munitions and Naval Gunfire Support suitable for Maritime Security Operations in Nigerian waters and the entire Gulf of Guinea. Additionally, pertinent discussions were held on the equipment holding for the recently established Nigerian Navy Marines soon to be infused into various ongoing joint operations nationwide. This is in line with the CNS vision for the NN which is to “develop a modern, agile and professional naval force dedicated to securing Nigeria’s maritime interests and advancing national security objectives in synergy with other security agencies.”

4. You are please requested to disseminate this information to the general public.

Signed
A ADAMS-ALIU
Commodore
Director of Information

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NN AVATION ARM

[/b]UPDATE ON DISCIPLINARY CASES INVOLVING SIXTEEN OFFICERS INVESTIGATED FOR INDISCIPLINE, BREACH OF SERVICE REGULATIONS[b]

It would be recalled that the Defence Headquarters issued a press statement in October 2025 regarding the arrest of sixteen officers over acts of indiscipline and breaches of service regulations. The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) wishes to inform the general public that investigations into the matter have been concluded and the report forwarded to appropriate superior authority in line with extant regulations.

The comprehensive investigation process, conducted in accordance with established military procedures, has carefully examined all circumstances surrounding the conduct of the affected personnel. The findings have identified a number of the officers with allegations of plotting to overthrow the government which is inconsistent with the ethics, values and professional standards required of members of the AFN.

Accordingly, those with cases to answer will be formally arraigned before an appropriate military judicial panel to face trial in accordance with the Armed Forces Act and other applicable service regulations. This ensures accountability while upholding the principles of fairness and due process.

The AFN reiterates that measures being taken are purely disciplinary and part of ongoing institutional mechanisms to preserve order, discipline and operational effectiveness within the ranks. The Armed Forces remain resolute in maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, loyalty and respect for constitutional authority.

SAMAILA UBA
Major General
Director, Defence Information
26 January 2026

[/b]Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, and the Chief of the Air Staff of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, visited Turkish Aerospace with their delegation. The visit, attended by Türkiye’s President of Defence Industries, Haluk Görgün, featured discussions on Turkish Aerospace’s capabilities, ongoing projects, and potential areas of future cooperation.l[b]

Source; @jakepor21

bidexiii:
[/b]Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, and the Chief of the Air Staff of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, visited Turkish Aerospace with their delegation. The visit, attended by Türkiye’s President of Defence Industries, Haluk Görgün, featured discussions on Turkish Aerospace’s capabilities, ongoing projects, and potential areas of future cooperation.l[b]

Source; @jakepor21

Am expecting more and crazy acquisitions from this trip

bidexiii:
[/b]The NA as started issuing out the upgraded DG-103 riffles to the frontline troops[b]

FINALLY

Pls a question for the house: what the present status of our Rissian Mi-24 and Mi-35M attack helicopters. I haven't seen them in quite a while.

ocelot2006:
Pls a question for the house: what the present status of our Rissian Mi-24 and Mi-35M attack helicopters. I haven't seen them in quite a while.

They're grounded for now, the sanctions on Russia is holding us hostage.
There are possible places that can service or help keep Mi-24/Mi-35 airworthy outside Russia, but most depend on Russian technical cooperation and parts supply — which sanctions disrupt.
The planned Rosoboronexport service hub in Peru is the clearest example of an alternative support location being built specifically for these helicopters.
Some countries with historical operators have maintenance expertise, but without Russian spares/data it’s difficult to perform deep overhauls legally and safely.
[/b]Fully independent Western or non-Russian OEM support (like Airbus/Bell) can’t legitimately service Russian attack helicopters without access to proprietary Russian technical data — which isn’t available due to sanctions[b]

bidexiii:
They're grounded for now, the sanctions on Russia is holding us hostage.
There are possible places that can service or help keep Mi-24/Mi-35 airworthy outside Russia, but most depend on Russian technical cooperation and parts supply — which sanctions disrupt.
The planned Rosoboronexport service hub in Peru is the clearest example of an alternative support location being built specifically for these helicopters.
Some countries with historical operators have maintenance expertise, but without Russian spares/data it’s difficult to perform deep overhauls legally and safely.
[/b]Fully independent Western or non-Russian OEM support (like Airbus/Bell) can’t legitimately service Russian attack helicopters without access to proprietary Russian technical data — which isn’t available due to sanctions[b]

[/b]Another major challenge is weapon acquisition for the Mi24/Mi-35m platforms[b]

The Mi-24/Mi-35 weapons are almost entirely Russian-origin and tightly controlled:
ATGMs: 9M114 Shturm, 9M120 Ataka
Rockets: S-8, S-13, S-24
Gun ammo: 12.7 mm Yak-B, 23 mm GSh-23
Fire-control components (laser guidance, seekers)
These are: Designed, certified, and manufactured mainly in Russia, Exported through Rosoboronexport and Covered by strict sanctions and end-user controls.
So unlike fuel or basic spares, weapons are not easy to “work around.”
Another oprti8n would be scavenging through the black market.

bidexiii:
[/b]Another major challenge is weapon acquisition for the Mi24/Mi-35m platforms[b]

The Mi-24/Mi-35 weapons are almost entirely Russian-origin and tightly controlled:
ATGMs: 9M114 Shturm, 9M120 Ataka
Rockets: S-8, S-13, S-24
Gun ammo: 12.7 mm Yak-B, 23 mm GSh-23
Fire-control components (laser guidance, seekers)
These are: Designed, certified, and manufactured mainly in Russia, Exported through Rosoboronexport and Covered by strict sanctions and end-user controls.
So unlike fuel or basic spares, weapons are not easy to “work around.”
Another oprti8n would be scavenging through the black market.

Another reason why any serious country must control its weapons and ammunition sources, preferably producing most locally. Otherwise, you could spend valuable resources to acquire arms, and one single change in foreign policy could render them all useless.

Even the items we are buying from the US today, could become useless to us tomorrow if a new US govt that does not like Nigeria comes to power.

bidexiii:
[/b]Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, and the Chief of the Air Staff of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, visited Turkish Aerospace with their delegation. The visit, attended by Türkiye’s President of Defence Industries, Haluk Görgün, featured discussions on Turkish Aerospace’s capabilities, ongoing projects, and potential areas of future cooperation.l[b]

Source; @jakepor21

[/b]CAS ACCOMPANIES PRESIDENT TINUBU AND HMOD TO TÜRKİYE TO ADVANCE SMARTER AIR POWER AND DEEPEN STRATEGIC DEFENCE COOPERATION[b]

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, accompanied the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Honourable Minister of Defence (HMOD), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, on an official working visit to Ankara, Republic of Türkiye. The high-level engagement was aimed at strengthening existing bilateral relations between Nigeria and Türkiye while expanding strategic cooperation in areas critical to national security, defence capability development, and technological advancement.

During the visit, President Tinubu held strategic bilateral discussions with his Turkish counterpart, culminating in the signing of nine (9) Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering defence, trade, education, media, technology, and related sectors. The agreements establish a structured framework for enhanced collaboration, enabling access to advanced technologies, skills transfer, and institutional cooperation that directly support Nigeria’s defence modernisation drive and broader national development objectives.

In furtherance of defence and air power cooperation, the CAS and the HMOD visited leading Turkish defence industry firms, ASELSAN, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), and HAVELSAN, operating under the Secretariat of Defence of Türkiye, alongside other high-level bilateral defence engagements. These interactions provided opportunities to review and fine-tune existing procurement arrangements, explore future capability development initiatives, and strengthen defence-industrial cooperation in support of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN). The outcomes align with the CAS’s mission objective of building a more agile, technology-driven, and professionally competent Nigerian Air Force capable of delivering smarter air power for safer communities. The strategic visit therefore reinforces the NAF’s commitment to enhanced operational effectiveness, strengthened national security, and sustainable development, while assuring Nigerians of a future anchored on improved safety, stability, and progress.

#NigeriaTürkiyeRelations #DefenceDiplomacy #SmarterAirPower #NAF #AFN #StrategicPartnership #NationalSecurity #SaferCommunities #Development

bidexiii:
[/b]CAS ACCOMPANIES PRESIDENT TINUBU AND HMOD TO TÜRKİYE TO ADVANCE SMARTER AIR POWER AND DEEPEN STRATEGIC DEFENCE COOPERATION[b]

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, accompanied the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Honourable Minister of Defence (HMOD), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, on an official working visit to Ankara, Republic of Türkiye. The high-level engagement was aimed at strengthening existing bilateral relations between Nigeria and Türkiye while expanding strategic cooperation in areas critical to national security, defence capability development, and technological advancement.

During the visit, President Tinubu held strategic bilateral discussions with his Turkish counterpart, culminating in the signing of nine (9) Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering defence, trade, education, media, technology, and related sectors. The agreements establish a structured framework for enhanced collaboration, enabling access to advanced technologies, skills transfer, and institutional cooperation that directly support Nigeria’s defence modernisation drive and broader national development objectives.

In furtherance of defence and air power cooperation, the CAS and the HMOD visited leading Turkish defence industry firms, ASELSAN, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), and HAVELSAN, operating under the Secretariat of Defence of Türkiye, alongside other high-level bilateral defence engagements. These interactions provided opportunities to review and fine-tune existing procurement arrangements, explore future capability development initiatives, and strengthen defence-industrial cooperation in support of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN). The outcomes align with the CAS’s mission objective of building a more agile, technology-driven, and professionally competent Nigerian Air Force capable of delivering smarter air power for safer communities. The strategic visit therefore reinforces the NAF’s commitment to enhanced operational effectiveness, strengthened national security, and sustainable development, while assuring Nigerians of a future anchored on improved safety, stability, and progress.

#NigeriaTürkiyeRelations #DefenceDiplomacy #SmarterAirPower #NAF #AFN #StrategicPartnership #NationalSecurity #SaferCommunities #Development

More..

bidexiii:
More..

Concl...

[/b]NIGERIAN NAVY SPECIAL BOATS SERVICE GRADUATES VISIT BOARD SEARCH AND SEIZURE LEVEL 2 COURSE[b]

On Thursday, 29 January 2026, the Nigerian Navy Special Boats Service (NNSBS) held the graduation ceremony of the British Defence Staff (BDS) Visit, Board, Search and Seizure Level 2 (VBSS-L2) Course at the NNSBS Headquarters, Ojo. The ceremony marked the successful completion of 3weeks of intensive training conducted by instructors from the United Kingdom 42 Royal Marines Commando, with twenty NNSBS operators participating in the course.

The ceremony was attended by the United Kingdom Defence Attaché and Head of British Defence Staff (BDS) West Africa, Brigadier General Thomas Harper, as well as the Staff Officer Grade 2 Maritime, Lieutenant Commander Peter Fairbanks. Also present were the Commanding Officer NNSBS, Captain Andrew Zidon, senior staff officers, instructors, and other invited guests, reflecting the strong defence cooperation between the Nigerian Navy and the United Kingdom.

Sequel to the training, a Final Training Exercise (FTX) was conducted during which the graduating operators planned and executed a raid on a designated objective building at Ibeshe Beach to capture and secure the headquarters of a Violent Extremist Organisation (VEO). The exercise was commendably executed, demonstrating the enhanced operational capability of the trainees. The high point of the ceremony was the presentation of certificates and awards to the graduands and members of the BDS training team.

#NigerianNavy
#OnwardTogether

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bidexiii:
[/b]The NA as started issuing out the upgraded DG-103 riffles to the frontline troops[b]

Nice!!

bidexiii:
[/b]The NA as started issuing out the upgraded DG-103 riffles to the frontline troops[b]

The MD of this company was part of the Nigerian delegation to Turkey.

VonSmallhausen:
Another reason why any serious country must control its weapons and ammunition sources, preferably producing most locally. Otherwise, you could spend valuable resources to acquire arms, and one single change in foreign policy could render them all useless.

Even the items we are buying from the US today, could become useless to us tomorrow if a new US govt that does not like Nigeria comes to power.

In the world today.

Only the USA, Russia, France and China have fully independent weapons manufacturing capacity.

Every other manufacturer depends on American, Russian or Chinese parts.

It's almost impossible to build a fully independent weapons manufacturing capacity as it is today. There are critical systems that are in the exclusive control of major super powers.

From what we have seen in the world today, all Nigerian governments in power must keep friendly relations with the US.

Our security depends on it. This is why I commend President Tinubu's approach to the whole Trump ignorant Genocide claim.

He didn't talk back at Trump, he did go to the US to be humiliated by Trump like we saw with the South-African President.

He simply dispatched the NSA to handle things diplomatically.

kabe1:
In the world today.

Only the USA, Russia, France and China have fully independent weapons manufacturing capacity.

Every other manufacturer depends on American, Russian or Chinese parts.

It's almost impossible to build a fully independent weapons manufacturing capacity as it is today. There are critical systems that are in the exclusive control of major super powers.

From what we have seen in the world today, all Nigerian governments in power must keep friendly relations with the US.

Our security depends on it. This is why I commend President Tinubu's approach to the whole Trump ignorant Genocide claim.

He didn't talk back at Trump, he did go to the US to be humiliated by Trump like we saw with the South-African President.

He simply dispatched the NSA to handle things diplomatically.

I don't like the administration but credits to him for navigating the matter with Trump. Fine moment for them

kabe1:
The MD of this company was part of the Nigerian delegation to Turkey.

Yeap

kabe1:
In the world today.

Only the USA, Russia, France and China have fully independent weapons manufacturing capacity.

Every other manufacturer depends on American, Russian or Chinese parts.

It's almost impossible to build a fully independent weapons manufacturing capacity as it is today. There are critical systems that are in the exclusive control of major super powers.

From what we have seen in the world today, all Nigerian governments in power must keep friendly relations with the US.

Our security depends on it. This is why I commend President Tinubu's approach to the whole Trump ignorant Genocide claim.

He didn't talk back at Trump, he did go to the US to be humiliated by Trump like we saw with the South-African President.

He simply dispatched the NSA to handle things diplomatically.

I am not sure how this conversation moved to President Tinubu and his handling of the US relations. However, you may have misunderstood my comments on this matter.

I didnt say we should produce all our weaponry, I said most. For example, there is no reason we should be importing any bombs today (apart from smart bombs), or rockets, yet we still do. We also still import RPGs, grenades, Machine Guns, most large calibre bullets and shells etc.
We have only just seriously started making efforts to produce assault rifles locally, i hope we sustain it, but that is something we should have started long ago. I could go on and on. These are fairly simple things we dont need to be a super power to do these things.
Aside from production of complete weapon systems, there is also the aspect of internalising the technology of the weapon systems you buy so you can maintain them sustainably even if the original manufacturer stops supporting you.

India is still operating their Jaguar Strike aircraft, something the original manufacturers in UK and France stopped producing ages ago, we junked 18 of these aircraft, as long ago, as the 90s because we couldnt maintain them.
Even today that Russians can no longer support buyers of their military equipment due to sanctions, i promise you India is still able to operate their russian sourced military equipment because they had taken full ownership of the related technologies so they can maintain those platforms.

Meanwhile, a few weeks ago we had to fly our Hercules C130 aircraft (an aircraft platform with technology that dates back to the 1960s) all the way to Europe for maintenance.

This is the point I am making, and it is by no means an indictment on Tinubu alone (after all he has only been here 3+ years) we have been failing in this area since 1960, and we cannot continue like this!

For musing sake. Can we not offer our Jaguars to IAF for little favours or something?

VonSmallhausen:
I am not sure how this conversation moved to President Tinubu and his handling of the US relations. However, you may have misunderstood my comments on this matter.

I didnt say we should produce all our weaponry, I said most. For example, there is no reason we should be importing any bombs today (apart from smart bombs), or rockets, yet we still do. We also still import RPGs, grenades, Machine Guns, most large calibre bullets and shells etc.
We have only just seriously started making efforts to produce assault rifles locally, i hope we sustain it, but that is something we should have started long ago. I could go on and on. These are fairly simple things we dont need to be a super power to do these things.
Aside from production of complete weapon systems, there is also the aspect of internalising the technology of the weapon systems you buy so you can maintain them sustainably even if the original manufacturer stops supporting you.

India is still operating their Jaguar Strike aircraft, something the original manufacturers in UK and France stopped producing ages ago, we junked 18 of these aircraft, as long ago, as the 90s because we couldnt maintain them.
Even today that Russians can no longer support buyers of their military equipment due to sanctions, i promise you India is still able to operate their russian sourced military equipment because they had taken full ownership of the related technologies so they can maintain those platforms.

Meanwhile, a few weeks ago we had to fly our Hercules C130 aircraft (an aircraft platform with technology that dates back to the 1960s) all the way to Europe for maintenance.

This is the point I am making, and it is by no means an indictment on Tinubu alone (after all he has only been here 3+ years) we have been failing in this area since 1960, and we cannot continue like this!

Odunayaw:
For musing sake. Can we not offer our Jaguars to IAF for little favours or something?

Even the IAF intends to replace its Jaguar fleet in the next decade. Probably to be replaced by the HAL Tejas Mk1A. The defence ministry should consider building a proper, official military museum to keep legacy equipments for display. It can serve as a source of revenue from local visitors and international tourists.

Odunayaw:
For musing sake. Can we not offer our Jaguars to IAF for little favours or something?

You got by ribs cracking, does the IAF still operating jaguars ?

[/b]AOC AIR TRAINING COMMAND CONDUCTS OPERATIONAL ASSESSMENT VISIT TO NAF BASE KAINJI, PROJECTS AIR DOMINANCE[b]

The Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Air Training Command (ATC), Air Vice Marshal Esen Paul Efanga, on 29 January 2026 conducted an operational assessment visit to Nigerian Air Force Base Kainji to evaluate operational effectiveness, force protection, and mission execution of units supporting ongoing counter-insurgency operations. The visit formed part of the Nigerian Air Force’s continuous command-level oversight aimed at sustaining operational readiness and precision employment of air power. AVM Efanga conveyed the clear intent of the Service to maintain decisive operational advantage, in line with the Chief of the Air Staff’s philosophy of people-centric, capability-driven, and mission-focused air power.

During the assessment, the AOC reviewed air operations of the Air Component, Operation FANSAN YAMMA Sector 3, commending the high operational tempo, discipline, and professionalism of air and ground crews. A precision show-of-force mission was executed as part of the visit, reinforcing the Nigerian Air Force’s sustained air superiority and action across the area of responsibility. Air Vice Marshal Efanga affirmed that NAF Base Kainji operates from a position of strength, with forces continuously mission-ready and optimally postured to deliver decisive air power at short notice, reflecting the Nigerian Air Force’s firm control of the operational environment.

Quoting the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, the AOC stated that “the Nigerian Air Force will continue to apply air power decisively, relentlessly, and with precision to secure the nation, protect critical assets, and deny all hostile elements any freedom of action.” He assured Nigerians that the NAF remains resolute, fully in control, and committed to sustaining tempo until lasting security is achieved. The visit further boosted morale among personnel and reaffirmed the Service’s unwavering resolve to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

#NigerianAirForce #AirPower #AirDominance #OperationalReadiness #FANSANYAMMA #DefendingNigeria #NAFReady

[/b]Troops of Operation HADIN KAI Engage and Defeat Terrorists in Dawn Battles, Maintain Firm Control in the North East[b]

In a well-coordinated dawn attack on 28 January 2026, troops of Sector 1 Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) conducted successful night dawn surprise operations at Bula Dalo, where they neutralized over 12 terrorists, compelling the remnants to flee in disarray and leading to the recovery of 4 AK-47 rifles, one PKT anti aircraft gun, one Rocket Propelled Gun, and one multiple grenade launcher. In a separate, deliberate operation at Garno terrorist camp, troops of Sector 1 further degraded terrorist capabilities by neutralizing 6 terrorists, destroying their life-support structures, and recovering a huge cache of PKT anti aircraft ammunition.

In a related development, troops of Sector 2 OPHK at Sabon Gari were also confronted with an ISWAP attack supported by multiple armed drones in the early hours of 29 January 2025. Although the terrorists briefly breached a part of the defensive location, the gallant troops swiftly repelled the assault, held their ground, and restored full control with timely reinforcement from nearby locations. Regrettably, some courageous troops and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force paid the supreme price in the course of defending the location, while an excavator and lowbed also got damaged as a result of the armed drone attack. Exploitation of the area is ongoing as operations continue to deny terrorists freedom of action.

SANI UBA
Lieutenant Colonel
Media Information Officer
Headquarters Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI
29 January 2026

bidexiii:
[/b]Troops of Operation HADIN KAI Engage and Defeat Terrorists in Dawn Battles, Maintain Firm Control in the North East[b]

In a well-coordinated dawn attack on 28 January 2026, troops of Sector 1 Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) conducted successful night dawn surprise operations at Bula Dalo, where they neutralized over 12 terrorists, compelling the remnants to flee in disarray and leading to the recovery of 4 AK-47 rifles, one PKT anti aircraft gun, one Rocket Propelled Gun, and one multiple grenade launcher. In a separate, deliberate operation at Garno terrorist camp, troops of Sector 1 further degraded terrorist capabilities by neutralizing 6 terrorists, destroying their life-support structures, and recovering a huge cache of PKT anti aircraft ammunition.

In a related development, troops of Sector 2 OPHK at Sabon Gari were also confronted with an ISWAP attack supported by multiple armed drones in the early hours of 29 January 2025. Although the terrorists briefly breached a part of the defensive location, the gallant troops swiftly repelled the assault, held their ground, and restored full control with timely reinforcement from nearby locations. Regrettably, some courageous troops and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force paid the supreme price in the course of defending the location, while an excavator and lowbed also got damaged as a result of the armed drone attack. Exploitation of the area is ongoing as operations continue to deny terrorists freedom of action.

SANI UBA
Lieutenant Colonel
Media Information Officer
Headquarters Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI
29 January 2026

More...

bidexiii:

You got by ribs cracking, does the IAF still operating jaguars ?

Actually they still do. They are the only airforce still using it. Thay have 120 units still operational.

bidexiii:
[/b]Troops of Operation HADIN KAI Engage and Defeat Terrorists in Dawn Battles, Maintain Firm Control in the North East[b]

In a well-coordinated dawn attack on 28 January 2026, troops of Sector 1 Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) conducted successful night dawn surprise operations at Bula Dalo, where they neutralized over 12 terrorists, compelling the remnants to flee in disarray and leading to the recovery of 4 AK-47 rifles, one PKT anti aircraft gun, one Rocket Propelled Gun, and one multiple grenade launcher. In a separate, deliberate operation at Garno terrorist camp, troops of Sector 1 further degraded terrorist capabilities by neutralizing 6 terrorists, destroying their life-support structures, and recovering a huge cache of PKT anti aircraft ammunition.

In a related development, troops of Sector 2 OPHK at Sabon Gari were also confronted with an ISWAP attack supported by multiple armed drones in the early hours of 29 January 2025. Although the terrorists briefly breached a part of the defensive location, the gallant troops swiftly repelled the assault, held their ground, and restored full control with timely reinforcement from nearby locations. Regrettably, some courageous troops and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force paid the supreme price in the course of defending the location, while an excavator and lowbed also got damaged as a result of the armed drone attack. Exploitation of the area is ongoing as operations continue to deny terrorists freedom of action.

SANI UBA
Lieutenant Colonel
Media Information Officer
Headquarters Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI
29 January 2026

Great stuff. I love the way we are taking the battle to them.
Of course it is not easy, but it is better than waiting in our bases for them to come and attack with superior numbers. Kudos to our boys and RIP to the brave departed.

VonSmallhausen:
I am not sure how this conversation moved to President Tinubu and his handling of the US relations. However, you may have misunderstood my comments on this matter.

I didnt say we should produce all our weaponry, I said most. For example, there is no reason we should be importing any bombs today (apart from smart bombs), or rockets, yet we still do. We also still import RPGs, grenades, Machine Guns, most large calibre bullets and shells etc.
We have only just seriously started making efforts to produce assault rifles locally, i hope we sustain it, but that is something we should have started long ago. I could go on and on. These are fairly simple things we dont need to be a super power to do these things.
Aside from production of complete weapon systems, there is also the aspect of internalising the technology of the weapon systems you buy so you can maintain them sustainably even if the original manufacturer stops supporting you.

India is still operating their Jaguar Strike aircraft, something the original manufacturers in UK and France stopped producing ages ago, we junked 18 of these aircraft, as long ago, as the 90s because we couldnt maintain them.
Even today that Russians can no longer support buyers of their military equipment due to sanctions, i promise you India is still able to operate their russian sourced military equipment because they had taken full ownership of the related technologies so they can maintain those platforms.

Meanwhile, a few weeks ago we had to fly our Hercules C130 aircraft (an aircraft platform with technology that dates back to the 1960s) all the way to Europe for maintenance.

This is the point I am making, and it is by no means an indictment on Tinubu alone (after all he has only been here 3+ years) we have been failing in this area since 1960, and we cannot continue like this!

I very much agree with your reasoning for the need to develop serious homegrown industry for military tech and having an indigenous contribution to hardware to have some level of independence or domestic reliability. I also understand where Kabe1 is coming from.

But I fault your comparison with India. For what it's worth Nigeria and India aren't mates or close to equals in anything. The India you're comparing is a mini major world power. Top 5 economy and easily top 10 military in the world.
The only thing India share with Nigeria might be similar levels of poverty, asides that there's a gulf in everything else.
India is in a unique league of countries with nukes, aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines. Being one of the few countries developing 4.5 gen fighters. Their industry and military complex with ours isn't close at all and their geography and political climate forces them to strive for excellence in all spheres of influence. So we ain't mates in anything.

We never even get level reach SA or Egypt talkless of Pakistan, or India. If you remove the US, China, Russia and France.....the 2nd tier of world beating military industrial complex you'd call are India, Turkey, Germany, UK, Israel, Japan and Korea.
So stop comparing ourselves with Indians.

Like you said, truly we are supposed to be doing far better than these as we only just got serious recently. Hopefully basics like unguided rockets, bombs, shells etc would be domesticated here in the nearest future.

For me I believe we should focus more on drones currently....it kinda feels weird sometimes when I see us still buying reconnaissance drones from around the world when we've been developing the GULMA, couple more drones in the Air force etc for almost a decade now and nothing to show for it. Even more glaring when we now have serious private companies developing drones like Terrahaptix, Proforce and co.

Except for top of the line UAVs like HALEs and attack MALES we shouldn't really be spending big money for recce drones and develope the capacity of local producers with good firm orders than can last for 3 yrs. Either that way, we wouldn't really be challenging our industry to be doing more and they'd be more comfortable with the barest minimum.

Hopefully that C-130 debacle would be avoided in the future with Ibom Air completing its MRO as well as Air Peace building theirs in collaboration with Embraer.

bidexiii:

You got by ribs cracking, does the IAF still operating jaguars ?

Yes they do na