Nigerian Armed Forces - Air Force

Air Force

The Nigerian Air Force was formally established in January 1964 with technical assistance from West Germany. The air force started life as a transport unit with aircrew being trained in Canada, Ethiopia and India. The air force did not get a combat capability until a number of MiG-17 aircraft were presented by the Soviet Union in 1966.

In 2007 the Air Force had a strength of 10,000. It flies transport, trainer, helicopter, and fighter aircraft, of which the IISS says there is 'very limited operational capability.'

The Air Force sponsors the Air Force Military School, Jos, Nigeria.

Nigeria also has pursued a policy of developing domestic training and military production capabilities. Nigeria has continued a strict policy of diversification in her military procurement from various countries.

Read more about this topic:  Nigerian Armed Forces

Famous quotes containing the words air and/or force:

    I was a countryman and a father before I was a writer on political subjects.... Born and bred up in the sweet air myself, I was resolved that [my children] should be bred up in it too.
    William Cobbett (1762–1835)

    In the new science of the twenty-first century, not physical force but spiritual force will lead the way. Mental and spiritual gifts will be more in demand than gifts of a physical nature. Extrasensory perception will take precedence over sensory perception. And in this sphere woman will again predominate.
    Elizabeth Gould Davis (b. 1910)