NAF Hails ATC’s Research Teams’ Contributions To Operational Efficiency
….. as R&D competition begins among ATC units
The Nigeria Air Force (NAF) has hailed the massive contributions of its research and development teams to the successes being recorded by the service in the defence of the country.
The Director Research and Development NAF Headquarters, AVM Ndubuisi Okoro made the commendation while opening the 2025 Intra-Command Research and Development (R&D) Competition of the Air Training Command (ATC), on Wednesday in Kaduna.
He noted that the Air Training Command has in the last 15 years produced local components for fighter and trainer jets and enhanced the operational efficiency of the service.
“It is therefore heart-warming that Air Training Command is contributing its quota towards achieving the desired self-reliance that is helping to sustain NAF operations across the vountry.”
He reeled out some of the impactful contributions to include products such as Mi-35 Hel Diaphragm, Alpha Jet aircraft heat shields, and Rocket launchers and rockets deployed in various theatres of operations.
“For instance, the Command’s R&D efforts resulted in the reactivation of the obsolete test benches and development of new ones particularly for Do-228 aircraft fleet and other aircrafts operating within its Area Of Responsibility,” he added.
These efforts, he said, have been enhancing NAF operational capability, and assured that the service will continue to place high premium on Research and Development, as aptly captured in the Chief of Air Staff command philosophy of ‘prioritizing R&D, leveraging cutting-edge technology, strategic partnership and lessons learnt’.
Okoro explained that the annual R&D competition was introduced more than 15 years ago to engender a culture of self-reliance and innovation for all NAF units.
“The objective of this competition is to showcase innovative ideas that could be used in solving operational, maintenance and other challenges confronting the Service.
“It is also to prepare Commands for the Nigerian Air Force Research & Development exhibition coming on 17 May 25, as part of the activities earmarked for the Nigerian Air Force Day Celebrations 2025.
“To this end, I want to urge all the participants to put in their best in ensuring the success of todays event.”
The director also spoke on the theme, “Optimising Civil-Military Cooperation in Research and Development for Enhanced Air Operations”, saying it was to bring to the fore, the critical role of the various R&D stakeholders in addressing the challenges confronting the NAF in terms of platforms and equipment serviceability.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Air Officer Commanding Air Training Command, AVM AY Dari said that the competition was to showcase innovative ideas in solving operational, maintenance and other challenges confronting the Service.
He added that it was to prepare teams from the ATC participating in the NAF Research and Development exhibition in May 2025.
Dari also said that the theme was carefully crafted taking into cognizance the challenges confronting the Nigerian Air Force in terms of platform and equipment serviceability, which makes it imperative to deploy innovative knowledge and skills to provide solutions.
“It is heart-warming that Air Training Command is contributing its quota towards achieving the desired self-reliance that is helping to sustain Nigerian Air Force operations across the Country,” he said.
The Commandant appreciated the participating units for committing their resources to the projects despite competing demands.
“It is a true display of the much cherished culture of hard work, sacrifice and creativity. Although, this is a competition, I would like you all to feel like winners; learn from each other and from the observations of the assessors.
“This will add more value to the projects so that at the end, the Command will be better prepared for the main Nigerian Air Force Inter-Command Research & Development exhibition.”
He urged the external assessors from the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) to be thorough and professional in selecting the best research works and innovations.
Dari appreciated the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan-Baba Abubakar for providing the enabling environment for the competition to hold.
