The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) announced on Monday that it has completed the local reassembly of its first two H125 helicopters at NAF Base Ikeja, Lagos. The exercise, disclosed in a statement, involved the delivery of the helicopters by Airbus Helicopters, with technical support from the manufacturer’s personnel. The NAF emphasized that the initiative aims to enhance technical collaboration, facilitate knowledge transfer, and provide hands-on training for its personnel in maintaining modern rotary-wing aircraft. This effort aligns with the service’s broader strategy to strengthen operational capabilities through partnerships and localized expertise.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, described the reassembly as a critical milestone in advancing the NAF’s technical and operational capacity. He highlighted the importance of complementing platform acquisitions with robust support systems, partnerships, and knowledge development to ensure sustained operational effectiveness. Aneke stated, “Beyond acquiring modern platforms, we are committed to developing the knowledge, partnerships, and support systems required to maximize their operational value and sustain them throughout their service life.” The H125 helicopters are expected to bolster the NAF’s surveillance, tactical mobility, and operational support missions, according to the service.
The NAF also acknowledged the support of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, crediting its commitment to national security modernization for enabling fleet upgrades and operational efficiency. The reassembly project underscores the growing technical collaboration between Nigeria and Airbus, with the NAF positioning itself to reduce reliance on foreign maintenance while building domestic aerospace capabilities. This development comes amid broader efforts to enhance military readiness and address security challenges across the country.
The completion of the H125 reassembly follows a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s defense infrastructure. While the NAF did not specify the timeline for reassembling additional helicopters, the successful local assembly of the first two units signals progress in the service’s long-term strategy to localize critical maintenance processes. The project also reflects the strategic alignment between the NAF and international partners to ensure the sustainability of modern military assets.