NAF Personnel Women of War
NAF Personnel Women of War
NAF Receives Reactivated Fighter Jets
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has taken over 3 L-39ZA aircraft,
which were reactivated in-country by the original manufacturers of
the aircraft, Messrs Aerovodochody of Czech Republic, assisted by
NAF engineers and technicians. The colourful handing over ceremony,
which had the Czech Republic Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Marek
Skolil, in attendance, took place today, 21 June 2019, at the NAF
403 Flying Training School (403 FTS), Kano. The reactivation will
ensure that the NAF increases the number of fighter pilots
available to man its existing fighter jets as well as the new
platforms, such as the A-29 Super Tucano and JF-17 Thunder
Multi-Role Fighter, which are to be inducted into NAF inventory
soon.
The Guest of Honour at the Ceremony, the Chief of the Air Staff
(CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, while making his remarks,
explained that the handing over of the 3 reactivated aircraft
marked another milestone in NAF’s efforts to ensure that 403 FTS
continues to operate optimally. He noted that the in-country
reactivation of the aircraft was also done in pursuit of the
overall objective to domicile all maintenance and training
activities locally, thereby resulting in huge foreign exchange
savings which could be channeled towards providing other
facilities. The CAS emphasized that the Service, having recognized
the fact that conducive atmosphere was key to ensuring that
students derive maximum benefit from training institutions, had
renovated and equipped classrooms; upgraded and re-equipped the map
room and provided a new Computer-Based Training (CBT) Laboratory to
supplement and enhance the training efforts of 403 FTS.
Air Marshal Abubakar, who also noted that the NAF was encouraged
by the presence of the Czech Ambassador at the event, explained
that the project was a reflection of the Czech Republic
Government’s commitment to the NAF’s capacity building efforts. He
added that the Service was extremely pleased with what had been
achieved in just 4 months, especially the transfer of skills and
expertise to NAF engineers and technicians. According to him, “the
Service is looking forward to sustaining the good working
relationship that has been re-established as well as having a long
and fruitful partnership that is beneficial to the 2 countries. It
is also my belief that we will reach a reasonable conclusion on
plans to overhaul additional 6 x L-39ZA aircraft”, he added.
The CAS seized the opportunity to thank the Commander-in-Chief
of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, for
giving priority attention to NAF’s efforts in maintaining current
platforms and equipment as well as the support given to NAF to
acquire new platforms such as the A-29 Super Tucano, JF-17 aircraft
as well as additional Mi-35M and Agusta A-109 Power helicopters. He
reiterated the unalloyed loyalty and commitment of the Service to
continue to support the Federal Government in its policy thrust of
providing security, improving the economy and fighting corruption.
Air Marshal Abubakar also commended the Air Officer Commanding Air
Training Command as well as the Commander 403 FTS and his team of
instructors, engineers, technicians and other supporting staff for
their efforts at ensuring quality training for student fighter
pilots and providing serviceable aircraft that can support and
sustain training. He equally lauded the Chiefs of Aircraft
Engineering and Logistics for providing the leadership and
direction that ensured the success of the reactivation process.
In his remarks, the Czech Republic Ambassador traced the history
of the long standing cordial relationship between Nigeria and Czech
Republic since independence, especially the various contributions
in terms of military technical assistance, equipment and training.
He especially noted the supply of the L-29 aircraft, which were
used for training as well as combat operations during the Nigerian
Civil War. He noted that this paved way for the acquisition of the
L-39ZA, which has been used extensively by the NAF for training
over the past 33 years and, more recently, for operations in the
Northeast. Mr Skolil expressed his delight that Aerovodochody,
which has been in the Aviation Industry for over 100 years, had
completed the reactivation programme on time as well as to
specification. He said the Company has continued to evolve with
changing technologies and recently launched the first prototype of
the latest version of the L-39, the L-39Next Generation (L-39NG),
which would be available for acquisition by the NAF at a reduced
cost since modernization elements in the existing L-39s would not
be phased out with their airframes but transferred to the new
L-39NG.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commander 403 FTS, Air
Commodore Nnamdi Ananaba, highlighted that the reactivation of the
3 aircraft had commenced a few months after the graduation ceremony
of Basic Flying Course 18 (BFC – 18), when the school did not have
enough aircraft to accommodate an increased demand for fighter
pilot training occasioned by the need to meet aircrew requirements
for newly acquired platforms. He lauded the CAS, who, he said, in
characteristic manner, declared a state of emergency and
orchestrated the processes that led to the reactivation of the 3
L-39ZA aircraft, within record time, as well as the improvement of
facilities in the school to accommodate a larger intake of
students. At the end of the ceremony, an acceptance flight, which
featured some aerobatic maneuveres, was conducted on the newly
reactivated aircraft.
IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force