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The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has completed the local reassembly of its first two Airbus H125 helicopters at NAF Base Ikeja in Lagos. The aircraft were delivered by Airbus and reassembled with the assistance of the manufacturer’s technical personnel, giving NAF staff direct experience working on the new rotary-wing platforms.
The exercise marks a step in the introduction of the helicopters into the NAF fleet. Bringing an aircraft into service involves more than taking delivery: technicians must become familiar with its systems, maintenance requirements and support procedures, while the service establishes the expertise needed to keep it available for operations. By involving NAF personnel in the reassembly process, the work in Lagos provided an opportunity for practical learning alongside Airbus specialists.
Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke described the development as part of a wider effort to strengthen the Air Force’s technical and operational capacity. “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.
That emphasis on sustainment is central to the value of the local work. Helicopter availability depends on trained personnel and effective technical support throughout an aircraft’s service life. Experience gained during reassembly can help NAF teams build familiarity with the H125 at an early stage, while continued cooperation with Airbus provides a channel for technical support and knowledge transfer as the aircraft enter service.
According to the NAF, the H125s will add capacity to its air operations, including surveillance, tactical mobility and other operational support missions. Their introduction will give commanders another rotary-wing option for tasks that require personnel or equipment to be moved, or areas of interest to be observed from the air. The Air Force has not provided further details in its announcement about the helicopters’ planned assignments or when they will begin operational flying.
The completion of the first two aircraft is therefore both a fleet milestone and a training opportunity. It connects the acquisition of new helicopters with the development of personnel able to support them, a relationship the Air Force has identified as essential to making full use of its modernisation efforts.
The NAF also acknowledged the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for strengthening national security capabilities and improving the service’s operational effectiveness. As the two H125s move through the remaining steps towards service, the experience gained at NAF Base Ikeja will form part of the technical foundation for operating and maintaining the type.
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