The Chief of Air Employees, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has expressed dissatisfaction with the heavy reliance on international nations for plane and spare elements.
Abubakar, who recalled his time because the Commander of the 101 Presidential Air Fleet, said that there are vital constraints related to the excessive dependency on imported plane spares and tools to maintain flight operations.
Talking on the 2024 NAF Analysis and Growth Retreat in Abuja on Tuesday, he famous that solely by creating indigenous capability for plane manufacturing and spare elements manufacturing by analysis and improvement can the service scale back its dependency on international navy merchandise.
He stated, “As Commander of the 101 Presidential Air Fleet, I skilled first-hand the intense constraints that accompany our excessive dependency on the importation of plane spares and tools to maintain flight operations.
“Years later, because the Chief of Requirements and Analysis, with the Nigerian Air Drive Analysis and Growth actions beneath my purview, I gained a clearer understanding of the vital function that analysis and improvement play in mitigating our sustainment and operational challenges as a service.”
He added that the Nigerian Air Drive is quickly constructing the mandatory capability to maintain the operation and upkeep of fifty brand-new plane anticipated to be added to its fleet between December 2024 and 2026.
He said, “Accordingly, the Nigerian Air Drive is quick constructing the requisite capability to maintain the operation and upkeep of fifty model new plane anticipated to be added to its fleet between December 2024 and 2026.
“It’s only by creating indigenous capability for plane manufacturing and upkeep spares manufacturing by analysis and improvement that we will scale back our dependence on international navy merchandise.”
He famous that the service had commenced the development of unmanned aerial automobiles and rocket launchers, amongst different tasks.
Abubakar stated, “I’m additionally happy to say that the operationalisation of the TSAIGUMI Unmanned Aerial Automobile has been revived in partnership with UAVision of Portugal. Presently, the venture has reached a sophisticated stage.
“Moreover, it’s value noting that the NAF is leveraging a strategic partnership with Messrs Zenith Promenade of Serbia on know-how switch for 57mm rocket manufacturing.
“We’re additionally constructing our institutional capability for analysis and improvement, as evidenced by the latest improve of the Air Drive Analysis and Growth Centre into an Institute.”
The Chief of Air Employees said that this improvement would higher place the NAF to conduct high-level analysis and entry extra analysis funding.
He added that the analysis efforts of the NAF weren’t restricted to {hardware} solely but in addition included software program, noting that the NAF had applied a bespoke digital correspondence software, popularly known as the ‘Paperless System’, in Might.
