NAF will Sustain Local Maintenance of Aircraft – CAS

Chioma Joseph

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has stated that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), will continue to undertake Periodic Depot Maintenance (PDM) of aircraft locally, in line with the federal government’s policies to solve the country’s challenges by looking inward.

The CAS who was speaking during the commissioning and acceptance of the newly reactivated C-130H (NAF 913) aircraft, on Wednesday, said the decision will save the nation huge foreign exchange, and significantly improve the human resource capacity and competence of NAF personnel. 

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Speaking at the event which held at the 613 Aircraft Maintenance Depot (ACMD), Logistics Command, Ikeja, Lagos, Abubakar disclosed that the refurbishing of the C-130H (NAF913) was done in nine months by NAF technicians and engineers, supported by their counterpart from the Pakistan Air Force and Shaheen Foundation.

According to him: “ From the onset of this administration, we had determined that it was imperative that we develop sufficient local maintenance capacity and capability to enable us effectively project air power for current and future operations.  One critical aspect of air power is strategic airlift capability. This important requirement of the Nigerian Air Force is essential to the deployment and sustenance of forces across distant battlefields. In this regard, judicious efforts were made to locally conduct Periodic Depot Maintenance of three C-130H aircraft; NAF 917, 913 and 918 so as to boost combat support efforts for Armed Forces’ operations across the country.

“ Our modest accomplishments so far have greatly enhanced the serviceability of our aircraft fleets and boosted our capability to project air power within and beyond the shores of our dear country. It is worthy to mention that apart from this C-130H being commissioned today, we are equally undertaking the local reactivation of 3 Alpha Jets and one Mi-35P helicopter. It is also my belief that in a few months ahead, we will also be here to commission the third C-130H, that is, NAF 918.

“ These local capacity enhancement efforts are in line with the Federal Government policies and aspirations that encourages Ministries, Departments and Agencies to look inwards and evolve innovative solutions to the myriad of challenges the nation is confronted with.

Accordingly, NAF will continue to pursue its capacity building initiatives through the conduct of local PDM, of all aircraft types. This will undoubtedly enable the Service to fulfill its primary responsibilities as provided in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to meet a broad range of national security imperatives.

“ This aircraft is very critical to what we are doing and we are very excited  that we are able to handle the major maintenance such as the PDM.

This is the second C-130 we are able to conduct PDM locally here in Ikeja, and our desire is that we are able to conduct the third one which is NAF-918 and I believed it is possible with the level of training our men have received and the various external teams that has been involved in the PDM.

It is very clear to us that we are building the required capacity and Nigerians are now going to be fully involved in this maintenance, and we may not have to hire anyone again. It took us nine months to conduct this exercise and if we were to conduct the PDM outside it would have cost us a whole lot. ”

He also stated that the refurbished aircraft will be utilised to move troops and equipment, as well as undertake other missions. “ What you have seen today is value addition, the fact that this aircraft is now serviceable means it is going to add value to what we are doing. And I want to assure Nigerians that we will continue to work round the block to ensure that Nigeria is safe and secured. Security is not purely a military issue, there are so many dimensions to security,  and I think we are all working together to ensure that the country is secured and we will get there.

“ The fact that this aircraft was not flying before, and from today it will start flying and that means we have more capacity for airlift. We will move our resources to battle areas and add to what we are doing in getting the country secured. 

Beginning today, the aircraft, NAF 913, would improve the operational efficiency of the Nigerian Air Force. This would give the required impetus for prompt deployment of troops and the provision of logistic support required for operational effectiveness in all theatres of operation. This accomplishment is a clear manifestation that our efforts at enhancing self-reliance is gradually producing the desired outcome. ”

While issuing certificates to the 19 NAF personnel who participated in the aircraft maintenance, the CAS further appreciated Messrs Shaheen Foundation of Pakistan, for their contribution towards the timely completion of the maintenance activities on the aircraft.

He also urged the engineers and technicians of NAF to make the best use of the knowledge acquired during the PDM, so that they can effectively apply same in the conduct of future maintenance on the C-130H fleet. 

Earlier in his welcome address, the Air Officer Commanding, Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshal Lawal Alao, said the current NAF leadership, since its inception had emplaced several measures to guarantee effective and efficient air power delivery.

Alao said among these measures, was the administration’s focus on human capacity development for self-reliance in the maintenance of NAF platforms and associated support equipment.

“ To achieve this lofty objective, the current NAF administration has intensified the conduct of in-country Periodic Depot Maintenance which before now was conducted overseas on selected NAF aircraft including the C-130H fleet.

“ It is against this background that contract for the in-country PDM was awarded to Messrs Shaheen Foundation in April 2019 to conduct PDM of one C-130H aircraft NAF 913 in collaboration with NAF engineers and technicians inside this hangar.

The project is among others expected to improve in-depth maintenance capacity of NAF technicians at the Depot. Today’s commissioning and acceptance ceremony of C-130H Aircraft NAF 913, marks the successful completion of the in-country Periodic Depot Maintenance which is a calendar inspection conducted at every 4-year intervals or after every 4,000 flying hours.”

Also present at the ceremony were the General Officer Commanding, 81 Division, the Forward Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command and other senior officers of the Nigerian Air Force