NAF records major breakthroughs in R&D, welfare enhancement — CAS
By: Zagazola Makama
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, says the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has achieved significant progress in indigenous research and development (R&D), armament technology, and personnel welfare under its current leadership.
Abubakar disclosed this during a media briefing in Abuja as part of events marking the 60th Anniversary of the Nigerian Air Force. He said the force had scaled up its innovation drive with several projects already deployed operationally and others pending mass production and commercialization.
“We now hold an annual R&D competition at the NAF Headquarters to encourage creativity at the unit and individual levels,” he said.
He revealed that the NAF Research and Development Centre had been upgraded to a full-fledged Research and Development Institute, which has so far produced multiple operational products — some of which have been deployed in theatre and others patented for future commercialization.
“So far, six of our products have been patented by the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP),” he said, adding that these include both military-use and dual-use technologies.
Abubakar noted a major highlight of NAF’s indigenous engineering feat: the Sebu Bifurevi Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), designed and test-flown by Nigerian Air Force engineers and technicians.
“To complete the aircraft’s avionics and navigation systems, we entered a strategic partnership with a Portuguese firm. The UAV is expected to be fully operational before the end of the year,” he stated.
In the area of armament technology, Abubakar said the force had entered a technology transfer partnership with a Slovakian company to begin local production of C-5 57mm rockets in Nigeria.
“This is a huge milestone,” he said. “Once we master this technology, adapting it to other calibres like 7mm or 9mm becomes much easier.”
On personnel welfare, the Air Chief said the force continues to prioritize its human capital, recognizing that a motivated workforce is central to operational efficiency.
“You can have the most expensive weapons systems, but without properly motivated personnel, success remains elusive,” he said.
He highlighted efforts to improve accommodation, uniforms, and logistics support, noting that significant strides have been made though some challenges persist.
Among the landmark initiatives, he disclosed the establishment of the Nigerian Air Force Health Bank, which provides savings and low-interest loans to officers, airmen, and their family members. We also established hospitals, schools and insurance for our personnels.
“This initiative is already yielding results in helping our personnel and their families secure affordable credit and investment opportunities,” he said.
Abubakar assured that the NAF would continue to invest in R&D, welfare, and innovation, stressing that self-reliance in defence technology remains a strategic priority for national security.
