The message one or more JF-17 Squadron will send a potential aggressor is unambiguous. If you attack us, we will respond with overwhelming force. "MONEY" should not be an excuse for Africa's biggest economy and largest oil producer. 
Visibly possessing a large and strong air force is an embodiment of effective deterrence. While our COIN assets are admirable. Having a correspondingly large and potent air superiority fighter fleet is just about the most potent deterrence possible,
..so potential enemies can habour no illusion about how a military misadventure against Nigeria's interest will turn out. In Mali Nigeria's military contigent were mocked by Malians and Niger-riène contingent. Statements like " We do not run away like Nigerians"
..was common. We could not provide credible air assets to defend our very own contingents. All we had were Alpha jets and a few F-7Ni fighters. One Alpha jets deployed was lost to crash. Nigeria's military vulnerabilities after a decade of neglect was open for all to see.
...notice this was when the insurgency took a turn for the worse. Our historic geopolitcal foes became emboldened. Refusing to do any thing about Boko Haram using their territory as a staging base for attacks. Carrying out airstrikes on Nigerian territory workout permission
..and braging about it to the international media. Covertly arming Boko Haram insurgents. Gerndarmes crossing into Nigeria and without permission and attacking communities in Calabar. Holding FAKE ceasefire deals to buy Boko Haram time, or as was the case of Mr Baharat Gnoti
..caught with 18 SA-7 surface to air missiles he was en route to deliver to Boko Haram.
All this started when Nigeria was unable to lead an intervntion force in an ECOWAS member state as it has done for decades. This vulnerability was costly. It needlessly prolonged the war
All this started when Nigeria was unable to lead an intervntion force in an ECOWAS member state as it has done for decades. This vulnerability was costly. It needlessly prolonged the war
..it gave certain powers the opportunity to Boko Haram as proxy to weaken the Nigerian government. It turned Mali into a French military base, followed by Niger.
All of this because the regional hegemon was weak and on its knees.
All of this because the regional hegemon was weak and on its knees.
The Nigerian military of today is completely unrecognizable visavis that of 2013. We still need to strengthen our air force. The weak link of the Nigerian military is in the area of strategic air defence. We cannot afford another fire brigade approach.
It is far cheaper to deter than to expel. Same way it is far cheaper to build a $6 billion ballistic missile submarine and prowl the world's oceans than fight a nuclear war.
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