The Federal Government has taken delivery of five new helicopters for the Nigerian Air Force as part of efforts to strengthen air operations against terrorists, bandits and kidnappers across the country.
The platforms comprise three AW109 Trekker helicopters manufactured by Leonardo Helicopters of Italy and two H125 helicopters produced by Airbus Helicopters.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
Ejodame said the three AW109 Trekkers, which are part of 10 helicopters recently acquired by the Federal Government, arrived in Lagos on Tuesday.
The remaining seven are expected to be delivered before the end of the year, while the two H125 helicopters had been delivered earlier.
The acquisition is part of the Federal Government’s broader effort to renew and expand the NAF’s aircraft fleet amid continuing security operations across several parts of the country.
The NAF had earlier disclosed that the government was acquiring 10 additional AW109 Trekker helicopters from Leonardo. In October 2024, the Service said the additional helicopters were expected to strengthen combat support roles, including combat search and rescue, tactical airlift and medical evacuation.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, described the latest delivery as “another significant milestone in the Federal Government’s sustained investment in the modernisation and re-equipment of the NAF.”
He said the new aircraft would increase fleet availability and improve the Service’s ability to respond to security threats in different operational theatres.
“The arrival of these five helicopters provides greater flexibility in the employment of airpower in support of ground troops in ongoing operations,” he was quoted as saying.
According to Aneke, the AW109 Trekker helicopters would enhance the NAF’s capacity for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, close air support, armed escort, combat search and rescue and other joint operations.
He said the H125 helicopters would provide versatile light-helicopter support for a range of operational requirements.
The H125 is a multi-mission light helicopter designed for operations including surveillance, law enforcement and search and rescue. Airbus says the aircraft can operate in demanding environments and has a maximum range of about 630km at fast cruise under specified operating conditions.
Airbus also describes the military H125M variant as suitable for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance, armed reconnaissance and light-attack missions. The exact configuration of the H125 helicopters delivered to the NAF was not specified in the statement.
Aneke expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting the modernisation of the Air Force.
“On behalf of the officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force, I express our profound appreciation to Mr President for his sustained support for the transformation and modernisation of the Service,” he said.
“His commitment is enabling us to progressively build the capabilities required to meet our operational responsibilities and confront the nation’s evolving security challenges.”
The NAF said the newly arrived helicopters were undergoing post-delivery assembly before their induction and deployment.
The process, according to the Service, includes technical checks and crew-readiness procedures to ensure the aircraft are fit for operational use.
The Chief of the Air Staff said the Service would focus on ensuring that the government’s investment translated into operational capability.
“We will continue to prioritise effective employment, maintenance and logistics sustainment so that every aircraft delivered adds measurable value to ongoing operations and the protection of the lives and property of Nigerians,” he said.
The NAF is currently involved in operations against insurgency and terrorism in the North-East, banditry and kidnapping in the North-West and North-Central regions, as well as other security operations across the country.
The increased rotary-wing capability is expected to improve the speed with which troops can receive aerial support, particularly in areas where difficult terrain and poor road networks can delay the movement of ground forces.
The AW109 Trekker acquisition is also part of a wider fleet-modernisation programme. The NAF previously announced plans to acquire 24 M-346 fighter-ground-attack aircraft and additional AW109 helicopters from Leonardo, describing both acquisitions as part of efforts to build a more agile and resilient air force.
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