Striding towards self-reliance and technical mastery, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has accomplished a groundbreaking 4800-hour Periodic Depot Maintenance (PDM) on a Dornier 228 (DO-228) aircraft. This task, traditionally outsourced to foreign Maintenance Repair Organizations (MROs), marks a pivotal shift in the NAF’s operational capabilities.
The successful in-country completion of the PDM not only represents a cost-effective approach but also a reduction in aircraft downtime, underscoring the NAF’s commitment to efficiency and self-sufficiency. The Chief of Aircraft Engineering (CACE), Air Vice Marshal Pius Oahimire, highlighted this achievement as a testament to the NAF’s burgeoning engineering expertise and a reflection of the Chief of Air Staff’s (CAS) philosophy that emphasizes a robust maintenance culture and logistics support.
The engineers’ skill and resolve have garnered commendations from senior officials, including Air Vice Marshal Nnamdi Ananaba, who oversees the Air Training Command in Kaduna. This accomplishment heralds a new era of autonomy and technical proficiency within the NAF, with aspirations to further enhance the maintenance team’s capabilities through specialized training.
Air Vice Marshal Olanrewaju Oyename, the Unit Commander, was lauded for his exceptional leadership, which fostered an environment conducive to achieving this significant milestone. Air Vice Marshal Oahimire reiterated the NAF’s dedication to excellence, pledging continued support and a favorable working environment for personnel to fulfill the Service’s mission objectives effectively.
The maintenance process, which began in May 2021, encountered delays due to challenges in procuring necessary spare parts. Nevertheless, the engineers and technicians’ unwavering determination and expertise were crucial in realizing this historic undertaking. Wing Commander Micheal Aransiola, Commanding Officer of the 30 Engineering Wing, outlined the comprehensive five-phase PDM process, culminating in a Functional Check Flight that validated the aircraft’s operational readiness.
The Nigerian Air Force and Dornier Aviation of Nigeria, a subsidiary of Dornier already have an existing technical agreement. In December last year, the Chairman, Dornier Aviation Nigeria AIEP (DANA) Limited, Alhaji Suleiman Sani Bello reiterated the commitment of his organization to further strengthen the existing collaboration and cooperation with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF). The Chairman stated this when he recently paid a courtesy visit to Headquarters NAF. While thanking the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, for the good working relationship both organisations have enjoyed over the last four decades, he also expressed the zeal and commitment of Dornier Aviation to collaborate and continue providing solutions, training, maintenance and logistics support to the NAF.
Aircraft reactivation efforts
This development is a continuation of the efforts by the Nigerian Air Force to reactivate and maintain it’s aircraft locally. Last year, the NAF also reactivated a C-130H Hercules transport aircraft to further boost the Service’s operational capabilities. The roll-out ceremony of C-130 Hercules aircraft (NAF918), was held on Wednesday 25 January 2023 at the 631 Aircraft Maintenance Depot, NAF, Ikeja, Lagos.
NAF 918 began PDM in the first quarter of 2021, and the reactivation was carried out with assistance from Pakistani Air Force (PAF) Technical Assistance Group.
Before this, another NAF C-130s (913 and 917) were earlier reactivated with assistance from the PAF TAG.
In January 2020, NAF C-130 (913) was reactivated after completing in-country Periodic Depot Maintenance (PDM) at 631 Aircraft Maintenance Depot in Ikeja. This was the second C-130H to be reactivated, following the return to service of NAF 917 in June 2019.
On 24 June, 2019 the Nigerian Air Force celebrated the first successful in-country completion of periodic depot maintenance (PDM) on a C-130 Hercules transport (NAF 917). The local reactivation of NAF 917 was carried out by Sabena Technic in conjunction with NAF engineers and technicians.