NAF reactivates aircraft grounded for 23 years, showcases engineering power

The Nigerian Air Force has stated that the country has the competitive and comparative advantage to maintain and restore its fleets to airworthy conditions.

In a statement issued by the spokesman, Air Vice Marshal Olusola Akinboyewa, on Wednesday, its engineers and technicians have reactivated a Dornier DO-228 aircraft grounded for 23 years.

According to Akinboyewa, the reactivation serves as a morale booster for the NAF engineers and technicians, showcasing their ability to undertake complex projects that otherwise would be outsourced to foreign entities.

He said: “The success of this project carries significant strategic implications, bearing in mind that, beyond enhancing the NAF’s fleet, it symbolises the Service’s resolve to achieve self-reliance in aviation maintenance for operational effectiveness.”

He said the remarkable achievement showcases the expertise and capabilities of NAF engineers and technicians, demonstrating their ability to restore complex aircraft to airworthy condition.

“The achievement also demonstrates that the NAF’s investment in training its engineers and technicians has paid off, as they were able to apply their skills and expertise to restore the aircraft to airworthy condition.

“The aircraft, originally designated “5N-MPS” and operated by the now defunct Ministry of Mines, Power, and Steel, had been grounded at the DANA facility in Kaduna since 2001, NAF’s