NEWTOWN, Conn. - The Angolan Armed Force (FAA) said that in fiscal year 2015 it plans on acquiring new helicopters, naval vessels and military equipment for ground forces as part of a re-equipment and modernization program.
During a the 23rd anniversary of the establishment of the unified army, FAA Chief of Staff General Sachipengo Nunda described the forces upcoming procurement and modernization plan. In regards to the air force, new helicopters will be purchased which will be flown by Angolan pilots who have just concluded a six-year training program in Russia. Nunda said the navy will also take delivery of new vessels which will be operated by officers trained in Russia, Brazil and Portugal. Not going into full detail, he said the army will get new military equipment similar to what they have been training on in Cuba and Russia.
In 2012, Angola's National Defense Minister announced that defense spending for the 2012-2017 period would be allocated toward modernization efforts. The country's armed forces are in huge need of new equipment as its inventory is largely made up of Soviet/Russian origin acquired during the conflict with The National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) over a decade ago.