The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has successfully reactivated a Dornier DO-228 aircraft, which had been grounded for 23 years.
The milestone achievement was accomplished between June and September 2024 by a dedicated team of five engineering officers and 40 technicians from the NAF 431 Engineering Group (Engr Gp), Kaduna.
NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Olusola Akinboyewa, announced the reactivation of the aircraft, now redesignated “NAF-039,” highlighting its significance as a testament to the Air Force’s growing capacity for indigenous aircraft maintenance and operational readiness.
The aircraft, initially designated “5N-MPS” and previously operated by the defunct Ministry of Mines, Power, and Steel, had been grounded at a DANA facility in Kaduna since 2001. Following a Presidential Directive for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to transfer grounded platforms to the NAF for evaluation, the Air Force initiated the reactivation project.
Describing the process, Akinboyewa said the team undertook meticulous planning and executed the task with advanced engineering techniques while adhering to stringent aviation standards. He emphasized that the aircraft, a Dash 201 Series with only 1,081 flight hours since its acquisition, represented a valuable national asset that was restored to operational capability.
“This accomplishment attests to the NAF’s growing technical expertise and determination. Beyond enhancing our fleet, it symbolizes our resolve to achieve self-reliance in aviation maintenance for operational effectiveness,” Akinboyewa stated.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, commended the 431 Engr Gp for their dedication and highlighted the strategic implications of the achievement. “The successful reactivation of NAF-039 is not just an operational gain; it is a statement of our capabilities and commitment to self-reliance,” he said.
This project builds on earlier successes, including the NAF’s first in-country 4,800-hour inspection of another DO-228 aircraft in January 2024. Together, these milestones demonstrate the Air Force’s growing ability to undertake complex maintenance projects internally, reducing reliance on foreign expertise and optimizing resources.
The reactivated NAF-039 will bolster the NAF’s tactical airlift capabilities as part of its existing DO-228 fleet, a platform still actively used globally. This achievement underscores the NAF’s role in safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity while showcasing its technical ingenuity, resilience, and commitment to operational excellence.
The successful restoration of NAF-039 solidifies the Nigerian Air Force’s position as a key player in Africa’s aviation sector, with the potential to lead in indigenous maintenance and innovation.
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