The Air Force filled this Tuesday, August 9, 2022 with one of the largest acquisitions that will allow them to deploy wide in the sky to fully ensure the surveillance of the 1,241,238 km2. The President of the Transition, Head of State, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Colonel Assimi Goïta thus officially handed over the keys to the military aircraft to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General de Alou Boi Diarra Brigade. It was at the presidential pavilion of the Modibo Keita International Airport in Bamako-Sénou in the presence of the Prime Minister, Dr Choguel Kokalla Maïga, the President of the CNT, Colonel Malick Diaw, the Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs, Colonel Sadio Camara, several members of the government and the CNT, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Division General Oumar Diarra, Chiefs of Staff and Directors of Service, as well as administrative and customary authorities of Senou. Also present were the Russian Ambassador to Mali, partners and Air Force veterans. These aircraft are made up of a CASA 295, Combat and Transport helicopters, SU-25 bomber fighter planes, specialized in ground attack, L-39 Albatros, light ground attack planes and speed cameras. These aircraft complement others that are carrying out missions in operations within our country.
Speaking, the Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs, Colonel Sadio Camara expressed his gratitude to the Head of State, Colonel Assimi Goïta for his personal and constant commitment to strengthening our defense and security tool. . For him, air vectors are an important component to take and keep the initiative to win the decision in a country as big as Mali. He also expressed his gratitude to the Malian people for the sacrifices made within the framework of the advent of a Mali Kura, despite the enormous pressure and turpitude of certain external actors. According to Colonel Camara, since the rectification of the Transition, the people of Mali have become an example in Africa because they continue to prove that the will of a people overcomes all adversities.The Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs noted that the process of rebuilding Mali, which aims to achieve and materialize the aspirations of the Malian people, initiated under the Transition, has recognized the essential role assigned to actions to secure the territory, people and their property. He will say that the vision of the President of the Transition has been translated into a very clear directive by the FAMa. It is about fighting to win the wars imposed on the Malian nation and then creating the conditions for a lasting and just peace. He stressed that for this, our objective is to rebuild a professional Malian army, well equipped, well trained, with good morale. This Army, he insisted, must be close to the people from which it came. However, it must dominate the space of operations in compliance with strict rules of engagement. He will say that the ceremony of this day is historic, as much by the nature, the quality as by the volume of the exposed aircraft of which a part is in operation. He underlined that these new acquisitions give a boost to the rise of the FAMa. He thanked the President for the diversity of partnerships. Minister Sadio Camara finally urged the CEMGA and the CEM AA to take care and update the concept of employment of means for optimal performance of our defense tool according to emergencies and priorities.
The Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Brigadier General Alou Boï Diarra stressed that he is moved to receive today the keys of the aircraft from the hands of the President of the Transition. He mentioned that this equipment significantly strengthens the Air Force fleet. The CEM AA noted that to find such a large delivery of materials, you have to go back to very ancient times. For General Diarra, this equipment is dedicated to ground attack by providing fire support for the benefit of land forces and to destroy in depth terrorist bases and sanctuaries. He said that these acquisitions will also improve the mobility of the Defense and Security Forces and evacuate the wounded and sick and provide relief to the populations in terms of food, health and transport. He pointed out that this equipment will make it possible to provide the Air Force with human resources capable of operating.Retired Colonel-Major of Aviation Tiéoulé Satigui Sidibé thanked the CEM AA for having associated the elders with this exceptional ceremony. He added that the Air Force is rising from its ashes, while recalling that this Army was the most powerful in the sub-region.
