Abuja: The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has committed to achieving a 90 percent aircraft serviceability rate across all platforms by the fourth quarter of the year. The announcement was made by the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, during the opening of NAF's 2025 Aircraft Engineering Conference in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Abubakar revealed that the current average aircraft serviceability stands at 72 percent, with significant investments already made in spare parts, ground support equipment, and training to elevate this figure. He emphasized the importance of aircraft engineering in meeting the service's operational goals and highlighted recent achievements in fleet modernization.
In the last two years, NAF has acquired 15 high-tech aircraft, including T-129 ATAK helicopters and Diamond 62 surveillance aircraft. Abubakar disclosed that an additional 49 platforms, ranging from M-346 fighter jets to AH-1Z helicopters, are expected by the end of 2026. These platforms necessitate sophisticated and data-driven maintenance techniques.
'We are already implementing a predictive maintenance culture to anticipate needs and reduce unexpected failures,' stated Abubakar. He applauded NAF engineers and technicians for recent maintenance breakthroughs, such as the first in-country depot maintenance on a DO-228 aircraft and the reactivation of several long-grounded platforms.
The armament technicians were also praised for enhancing operational capabilities, notably through the adaptation of weapons systems and repairs on over 900 assorted weapons in collaboration with DICON and AFRDC. To institutionalize sustainable fleet management, the establishment of the Directorate of Aircraft Life Cycle Management (DALCM) was announced. This new directorate will oversee all phases of NAF aircraft from acquisition to retirement, ensuring long-term reliability and operational readiness.
Abubakar urged conference participants to share practical insights during sessions featuring lectures by distinguished retired Air Vice Marshals on various topics, including technical documentation, strategic partnerships, and aircraft life cycle management. 'Effective aircraft maintenance is the bedrock of operational success. Let us work together to build a more agile and robust Nigerian Air Force,' he encouraged.
Earlier, the Chief of Aircraft Engineering, AVM Abiola Amadu, stated that NAF was enhancing its engineering backbone and retooling its maintenance culture through strategic partnerships and collaboration. He noted that aircraft engineering is crucial for NAF's operational capabilities in an era of evolving security threats and rapid technological advancements.
Amadu said that prioritizing maintenance not only extends the lifespan of equipment but also enhances operational effectiveness. The conference is seen as a vital platform for sharing insights, discussing innovative strategies, and strengthening collaboration across the engineering domain.
He praised the foundation laid by retired officers and commended the CAS for recent strides, particularly the establishment of the Directorate of Aircraft Life Cycle Management. Plans for setting up an in-country overhaul facility for Pratt and Whitney engines, a Flight Instrument Workshop for the Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, and a Technical Training Centre at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) were also disclosed.
Amadu mentioned that maintenance training (NAFTRAC) had been conducted on 18 platforms across 12 engineering and armament units, including the A-29 Super Tucano, Wing Loong II drones, and CH-3A/CH-4B RPAs. The successful 300-hour inspection of the T129 ATAK helicopter (NAF 500) in collaboration with Turkish Aerospace Industries marked a significant milestone in building indigenous capacity for maintaining the ATAK fleet.
He pointed out the successful precision upgrade of the Alpha Jet using a stand-alone weapon control and firing system as a reflection of NAF's growing reliance on local solutions and strategic technical partnerships. Amadu encouraged all participants to actively engage, share ideas, and challenge the status quo, stating, 'We are the ones who keep the engines running and the missions flying. Let us seize this opportunity to deepen our maintenance culture and reinforce the frameworks that support air operations.'