The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has achieved a significant operational milestone with the formal return to service of a Super Puma helicopter (NAF 565). The aircraft, which had been grounded for three years due to technical challenges with its main rotor hub, was commissioned on Tuesday at the 205 Rotary Wing in Ikeja, Lagos.
Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, led the inauguration ceremony, describing the Super Puma as an “indispensable workhorse” within the NAF fleet. He emphasized that the reactivation is a testament to the military’s commitment to his command philosophy of sustaining a mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive air power in synergy with surface forces.
The Super Puma is renowned for its versatility and endurance, playing a critical role in troop transport, casualty evacuation, search and rescue, and logistics support. Air Marshal Aneke noted that the platform has already proven its worth in high-stakes environments like Operation Hadin Kai. Its return is expected to significantly enhance maritime security operations in the Lagos axis and reinforce counter-insurgency and anti-banditry efforts nationwide.
The Air Chief praised the technical team and the project consultant, retired Air Commodore T.A. Badru, for their professionalism in restoring the legacy platform. He also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the “Renewed Hope Agenda” has provided the strategic support necessary to recover critical assets and fast-track the induction of advanced combat platforms.
As the NAF continues to modernize its fleet, Air Marshal Aneke urged personnel to maintain the highest standards of safety and airmanship. The reactivation of the Super Puma marks a proactive step in ensuring the Air Force remains “Willing, Able, and Ready” to protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity and support joint military operations across all theaters.
