Armed Forces ready for any crisis – Minister

Defence Minister, Dr. Bello Mohammed, said, yesterday, that the Armed Forces were in a state of combat readiness needed to surmount all issues of insecurity, internal or external. He said government has ensured this by funding the requirements of the different arms of the military.

Soldiers operating an armour tank during Combat Arms Training Week at Victor Kure Firing Range in Bauchi on Thursday (17/5/12). NAN Photo

Speaking at the ministerial platform organised by the Ministry of Information and Communication in Abuja, the minister noted that the state of combat readiness was achieved following the repairs and upgrading of a number of Armoured Fighting Vehicles and Armoured Personnel Carriers for the Nigerian Army.
He also said the acquisitions of the warship, NNS Thunder, and a number of Shaldag Fast Patrol Boats for the Navy, in addition to existing weaponry for the two services, had made them combat-ready.
The minister said the F7Ni Supersonic Jet fighter had been acquired by the Nigeria Air Force, even as M-35-Helicopters had been retrofitted, while Super Puma Helicopters and Alpha-jets had undergone upgrading and re-inducted.
Mohammed said: “We (Ministry of Defence) have also refurbished some of our C-130H Aircraft in the NAF inventory.”
He noted that the ministry placed great emphasis on the welfare of personnel of the armed forces.

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