The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) announced on 9 June that it has successfully carried out its first in-house life-extension overhaul of a Mil Mi-35P assault helicopter.
The NAF said the helicopter had been a critical asset during counter-insurgency operations in northeast Nigeria until it had to be grounded for a scheduled overhaul. Work began in February 2017 and the helicopter has been accepted back into service by the Port Harcourt-based 115 Special Operations Group, which helps counter oil smugglers and militants in the Niger Delta.
The NAF cited Air Vice Marshal Oladayo Amao as saying that the decision to overhaul the helicopter in Nigeria had saved money and enhanced the capability of NAF technical crews.
janes.com