Aircraft Acquisition Without Local Maintenance Capacity Makes Them Vulnerable – CAS

The Chief of the Air Staff  Air Marshall Sunday Aneke has said acquisition of modern aircraft without local capacity to maintain them will create long term vulnerabilities for the platforms.

He reaffirmed commitment to local maintenance for newer platforms such as the M-346 and AW109.

Between November 2025 to August 2026, 550 NAF personnel participated in international training and professional engagements while over 6,000 underwent local training.

The CAS also approved 284 infrastructure projects of which 145 have been completed while 139 are ongoing to strengthen welfare of personnel who man the platforms.

“These engagements cover areas including aircraft maintenance, advanced and basic specialisation, command and staff courses, recurrent training, IT and technology programmes, study tours and other professional engagements” he said

The Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Sunday Aneke speaking in an interview published in October 2026 by the Defence Correspondent Magazine said the service modernisation programme was being pursued as a long-term capability development initiative rather than merely an acquisition exercise.

He said local maintenance capability remains an important part of the NAF’s modernisation philosophy.