The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has completed the local reassembly of its first two H125 helicopters at the NAF Base in Ikeja, Lagos.
The service disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, noting that the helicopters were delivered by Airbus Helicopters and reassembled with technical support from Airbus personnel.
According to the NAF, the exercise is expected to strengthen technical collaboration between the service and the aircraft manufacturer while facilitating knowledge transfer and providing personnel with practical experience in the maintenance and support of modern rotary-wing platforms.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described the development as an important step towards enhancing the technical and operational capabilities of the Nigerian Air Force.
Aneke said acquiring modern aircraft was only part of the service’s broader effort, adding that the NAF was also focused on developing the technical knowledge, partnerships and support systems needed to maximise the platforms’ operational value.
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“Beyond acquiring modern platforms, we are committed to developing the knowledge, partnerships and support systems required to maximise their operational value and sustain them throughout their service life,” he said.
The NAF said the newly reassembled H125 helicopters would provide additional capabilities for ongoing air operations, including surveillance, tactical mobility and other operational support missions.
The service added that the local reassembly exercise would deepen the technical capacity of its personnel and contribute to the long-term sustainability of its rotary-wing fleet.
The NAF also acknowledged the support and strategic direction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the Federal Government’s focus on strengthening national security capabilities had continued to support fleet modernisation and operational effectiveness.
The completion of the reassembly marks another step in the NAF’s efforts to build local technical capacity while integrating modern aviation platforms into its operational fleet.