The Nigerian Air force has taken delivery of its ATR 42-500MP Maritime Patrol Aircraft (Reg: NAF 931) after spending almost 4 years on the ground at Rheinland Air Service (RAS) facility in Monchengladbach, Germany.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) sent its second ATR 42-500MP surveillance aircraft to Germany in January 2022, for maintenance in order to keep the fleet in top shape.
The exact reason for the prolonged scheduled maintenance has not been ascertained. The aircraft arrived in Nigeria late December 2024.
The second ATR 42 ISR aircraft (NAF 931) was sent to Germany, following the successful Periodic Depot Maintenance (PDM) of its sister aircraft NAF 930 in September 2019, at the Rheinland Air Services (RAS) Facilities, Monchengladbach, Germany after clocking 5,000 hours (or 10 years) of operation. The aircraft returned in July of the next year.
The Nigerian Air Force flies two ATR 42-500M aircraft capable of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance operations. They also perform limited transport duties. They are operated by the 81 Air Maritime Group in Benin, in Edo state but, they are routinely deployed with the 75 Strike Group (75 STG) in Yola as part of the air component of Operation Lafya Dole Air Task Force (ATF).
After the maintenance program for the first ATR 42 (NAF 930), the aircraft was delayed in Germany due to the Covid-19 restrictions, just as the NAF needed to increase its maritime surveillance operations as well as counterinsurgency sorties in the fight against Boko Haram and the Islamic State.
NAF engineers and technicians participated in the reactivation process in Germany. Alenia Aeronautica (now Leonardo) delivered the first of two aircraft in December 2009 under a $73 million deal which included crew training and logistics. The contract was signed in 2007.
Over the last 10 years, the NAF, in collaboration with its technical partners, has successfully reactivated some of its platforms in-country, including the conduct of Periodic Depot Maintenance (PDM) on 2 C-130H aircraft, the PDM/Avionics and upgrade of three Alpha Jets, an overhaul and and upgrade of six L-39ZA Albatross aircraft.