The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has disclosed that Nigeria’s first locally manufactured helicopter is in its final development stages and will undergo its maiden test flight soon.
The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) announced that the country’s first Indigenous helicopter is in its final development stages and will undergo its maiden test flight soon. The agency is using a combination of homegrown expertise and semi-knockdown (SKD) and complete knockdown (CKD) models to refine and develop helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles. (UAVs) Stakeholders at the engagement event emphasized the need for Nigerians to support locally made products, highlighting the role of homegrown technology in reducing reliance on imports and boosting economic growth.
Speaking at a stakeholder engagement event in Kaduna last Wednesday, Kareem Aduagba, Project Manager at the Aeronautics and Air Vehicle Development Institute—an arm of NASENI—shared updates on the groundbreaking project.
“Very soon, we will conduct the first test. Everything is almost ready, and Nigeria’s first indigenous helicopter will soon take to the skies,” Aduagba announced.
He has explained that the initiative is not about recreating existing technology but advancing it through local expertise.
“Some of our work involves developing projects from the ground up, such as the Nigerian-made helicopter and certain unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs),” he added.
Aduagba further revealed that NASENI has acquired semi-knockdown (SKD) and complete knockdown (CKD) helicopter units from developed nations, using them as a foundation for engineering new solutions, The Cable reported.
An aviation expert has also described the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure’s (NASENI) indigenous helicopter project as a major breakthrough for Nigeria’s technological advancement.
“This project is a game-changer for Nigeria. By developing our own helicopter using a mix of local expertise and strategic integration of semi-knockdown (SKD) and complete knockdown (CKD) models, NASENI is demonstrating that we have the capacity to innovate and manufacture high-tech equipment,” he stated.
He noted that beyond boosting Nigeria’s engineering capabilities, the project could significantly reduce the country’s dependence on imported aircraft, creating employment opportunities and fostering economic growth. However, Adebayo stressed that sustaining the initiative requires strong government backing, including research funding, manufacturing incentives, and a regulatory framework that supports local production.
Culled from: Legit.ng
