NAF Deepens Local Capacity As First Two H125 Helicopters Reassembled In Lagos

• The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has completed the local reassembly of its first two H125 helicopters at the NAF Base in Ikeja, Lagos, following their delivery by Airbus Helicopters

• The reassembly exercise, carried out with technical support from Airbus personnel, gave NAF technicians practical exposure to the assembly, support and maintenance requirements of modern rotary-wing aircraft, while facilitating direct transfer of technical knowledge.

• Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, said the acquisition of modern platforms must be matched by the development of the expertise, partnerships and support systems needed to keep the aircraft operational throughout their service life.

• NAF said the H125 helicopters would expand its operational capabilities in surveillance, tactical mobility and other support missions, while the local reassembly is expected to contribute to greater technical self-reliance and improved fleet sustainability.

September 28, () – The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has completed the local reassembly of its first two H125 helicopters at the NAF Base in Ikeja, Lagos, in a development that is expected to strengthen the service’s technical capacity and reduce dependence on external support for aspects of aircraft maintenance.

The helicopters were delivered by Airbus Helicopters and reassembled locally with the support of technical personnel from the manufacturer.

reports that the exercise provided NAF personnel with practical exposure to the technical requirements involved in supporting and maintaining modern rotary-wing platforms, while also facilitating knowledge transfer between the aircraft manufacturer and Nigerian military technicians.

The development is part of the NAF’s broader efforts to build technical self-reliance, improve fleet availability and ensure that newly acquired aircraft can be effectively sustained throughout their operational life.

Speaking on the development, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, said the service was focused not only on acquiring modern aircraft but also on developing the human and technical capacity required to maximise their value.

“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”, Aneke said.

According to the NAF, the local reassembly exercise provided an important opportunity for its personnel to gain hands-on experience in aircraft support and maintenance, while strengthening institutional collaboration with Airbus.

The service said the experience would contribute to building a pool of technical personnel capable of supporting modern aviation platforms and improving the sustainability of its growing fleet.

The H125 helicopters are expected to provide additional capability for ongoing air operations, particularly in surveillance, tactical mobility and other operational support missions.

The aircraft will therefore complement the NAF’s existing rotary-wing capabilities as the service continues to expand and modernise its fleet in response to Nigeria’s evolving security requirements.