The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced the successful reactivation of a Dornier DO-228 aircraft that had been grounded for 23 years.
This accomplishment, according to NAF, underscores the ingenuity and expertise of its engineers and technicians
In a statement issued on 8 January 2025, Olusola Akinboyewa, the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, said, “The reactivation of NAF-039 after 23 years is more than an engineering achievement; it showcases the NAF’s ingenuity, resilience, and commitment to operational excellence.”
The aircraft, initially designated “5N-MPS” and operated by the defunct Ministry of Mines, Power, and Steel, has been grounded in Kaduna since 2001.
Following a presidential directive to transfer grounded platforms to NAF for evaluation and possible reactivation, the project commenced in June 2024 and was completed in September 2024.
The task was executed by five engineering officers and 40 technicians from the NAF 431 Engineering Group, Kaduna.
Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, the Chief of the Air Staff, commended the team’s efforts, describing the milestone as a testament to NAF’s commitment to resource optimisation and self-reliance.
“The successful reactivation of NAF-039 is not just an operational gain; it is a statement of our capabilities and our commitment to self-reliance,” he said.
The aircraft, a Dash 201 Series with 1,081 flight hours, will enhance NAF’s tactical airlift capabilities and boost Nigeria’s aviation maintenance autonomy.
Akinboyewa added, “This achievement solidifies the NAF’s position as a formidable player in Africa’s aviation sector, with the potential to lead in indigenous maintenance and technical innovation.”
The milestone builds on earlier achievements, including the first in-country 4,800-hour inspection of a DO-228 aircraft in January 2024.
NAF noted that these efforts reflect its resolve to uphold national security while promoting operational excellence.
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