Aircraft rehabilitation in Nigeria saved N1bn — Petirin

By Kingsley Omonobi

ABUJA—Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oluseyi Petirin justified yesterday, the in-country repairs and rehabilitation of Airforce aircraft within the country since he took over the helm of affairs of the NAF, saying that in the last nine months, the Nigeria Airforce has saved the country over N1billion that would have gone abroad.

Petirin made the disclosure even as he noted that the NAF would from next year, begin the training of helicopter pilots both for military operations and civil purposes with a view to not only reducing the huge cost of going abroad for training but also empowering Airforce instructors who are qualified to do the job.

The Air Chief who was speaking at the decoration of 33 Airforce Generals newly promoted including six Air Vice Marshals and 27 Air Commodores, disclosed that as a result of the arrival of the F-7 fighter jets ordered by the Federal Government, the rehabilitation of G222 medium range carriers, purchase of the Avister 109 helicopters, and the ATR Maritime aircraft, flying operations would increase in the force adding, very soon, all our pilots would become very busy.