The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar has said that with the expectation of a total of 50 brand new aircraft between 2024 to 2026, the Nigerian Air Force is building the requisite capacity to sustain the operation and maintenance of the platforms
According to the Air Chief, the NAF has prided itself as a pacesetter in Aerospace Research and Development ranging from the construction of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to the production of rocket launchers among others.
Speaking at the 2024 NAF Research and Development (R&D) Retreat with the theme, “Exploring Indigenous Technology and Innovation Towards Driving NAF Transformation” on Tuesday, Air Marshal Abubakar disclosed that the NAF is also producing heat shields, spares fabrication, weaponization of aircraft and retrofitting of unserviceable rockets and production of blank firing adapters among others.
““These feats have ensured that Nigerian Air Force platforms and equipment are maintained at reasonable serviceability rates for effective deployment in the various theatres of operation.
He said, “I am also pleased to mention that the operationalisation of the TSAIGUMI Unmanned Aerial Vehicle has been resuscitated in partnership with UAVision of Portugal.
“Currently, the project has reached an advanced stage.
“Additionally, it is worth mentioning that the NAF is leveraging strategic partnership with Messrs Zenith Prom of Serbia on technology transfer of 57mm rockets production.
“We are also building our institutional capacity for Research and Development, as evidenced by the recent upgrade of the Air Force Research and Development Centre into an Institute”..
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Emphasizing that the development would better position NAF to conduct high-level research and access more research funding, the CAS said the research efforts of NAF was not limited to hardware only but software also.
He disclosing sed that the NAF had in May implemented a bespoke Digital Correspondence (DIGCO) application, popularly called the ‘Paperless System’ adding, “The software has totally transformed our way of creating, treating and archiving correspondences, making the process a lot faster, more secure and efficient.
“Another software being developed, is the Nigerian Air Force Integrated Management System (NAFIMS).
“This innovative enterprise resource package being built in partnership with QuaterOne Consulting, will unify all existing NAF software into a single, robust platform, enabling swift decision-making and seamless data coordination.
“Upon completion, NAFIMS will automate routine tasks, significantly reducing manual labour hours and boosting operational efficiency”.
He further noted that the retreat was in furtherance of the fourth key enabler of his Command Philosophy, which is “Prioritising Research and Development leveraging cutting-edge technology, strategic partnerships and lessons learnt.
“This retreat provides a unique forum for experienced and committed personalities to discuss and propound innovative ideas for advancing the NAF’s R&D efforts from conception to operationalisation.
In his remarks, the Chief of Transformation and Innovation, NAF, AVM Adeniyi Amesinlola, said that recent retrospection had shown the need for transition of many of NAF’s R&D conceptualisations from initial prototype stage to operationalisation.
He noted that the move was to enable the NAF derive optimal benefit from its huge investments in R&D pointing out that the retreat would accord them the opportunity to generate new ideas and approaches towards prioritizing R&D cutting-edge technology and strategic partnerships in support of ongoing transformation of the service.
“Working with other stakeholders in R & D, the Transformation and Innovation Branch is eager to receive inputs from you to further enhance Research and Development coordination in the Nigerian Air Force” he said.