The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by reactivating a Dornier DO-228 aircraft that had been grounded for 23 years. This feat, carried out by a team of NAF engineers and technicians, underscores the growing capacity of the Air Force for indigenous aviation maintenance and operational excellence.
In a statement issued on January 10, 2025, by NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, AVM Olusola Akinboyewa, the project was described as a testament to the ingenuity and technical expertise within the Nigerian Air Force.
The aircraft, previously designated “5N-MPS,” was grounded at the DANA facility in Kaduna since 2001. Initially operated by the defunct Ministry of Mines, Power, and Steel, the plane was transferred to the NAF following a presidential directive to evaluate and reactivate grounded assets.
The reactivation of the aircraft, now redesignated “NAF-039,” began in June 2024 and concluded in September 2024. Akinboyewa revealed that a crack team of five engineering officers and 40 technicians from the NAF 431 Engineering Group meticulously executed the project, adhering to advanced engineering techniques and international aviation standards.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, lauded the engineering team for their dedication and emphasized the strategic importance of the achievement.
“The reactivation of NAF-039 is more than an operational gain; it reflects the NAF’s commitment to self-reliance, resource optimization, and safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity. This accomplishment showcases the resilience and ingenuity of our engineers,” said Abubakar.
The project builds on previous milestones, including the first in-country 4,800-hour inspection on another DO-228 aircraft in January 2024. The newly-reactivated aircraft will enhance NAF’s tactical airlift capabilities, joining a fleet that remains operational worldwide.
This achievement solidifies NAF’s position as a leader in Africa’s aviation sector, demonstrating its potential for indigenous maintenance and technical innovation.
