NAF takes delivery of five new helicopters

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By Kingsley Omonobi

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The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has taken delivery of five new helicopters as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to modernise and re-equip the Armed Forces to confront evolving security threats.

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The newly acquired platforms comprise three AW-109 Trekker B helicopters manufactured by Leonardo Helicopters of Italy and two H-125 helicopters produced by Airbus Helicopters.

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A statement by the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the acquisition was part of the Federal Government’s sustained investment in strengthening the operational capabilities of the service.

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Ejodame said the three AW-109 Trekker B helicopters arrived in Lagos on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, as part of a batch of 10 recently acquired by the Federal Government.

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He said the remaining seven helicopters were expected to be delivered before the end of 2026.

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The two H-125 helicopters had earlier been delivered to the NAF, bringing the total number of helicopters covered by the latest acquisition to five.

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Reacting to the development, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described the acquisition as another milestone in the Federal Government’s ongoing investment in the modernisation and re-equipment of the NAF.

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Aneke said the arrival of the helicopters would increase aircraft availability and give commanders greater flexibility in deploying airpower in support of ongoing military operations across the country.

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According to him, the new platforms would particularly strengthen the NAF’s ability to provide timely air support to ground troops operating in challenging environments.

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“The arrival of these five helicopters provides greater flexibility in the employment of airpower in support of ground troops in ongoing operations,” he said.

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The Air Chief expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support for the transformation and modernisation of the NAF.

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Aneke said the Federal Government’s investment was enabling the service to progressively develop the capabilities required to meet its operational responsibilities and respond to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

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He said the three AW-109 Trekker B helicopters would significantly boost the NAF’s rotary-wing capabilities.

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He added that the platforms would enhance the service’s capacity for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), close air support, armed escort and combat search and rescue, as well as other joint missions in support of ground forces.

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“The versatility of the AW-109 platform is expected to provide commanders with additional options for rapidly deploying air assets in support of troops engaged in counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency and other internal security operations,” Aneke said.

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He said the helicopters would also improve the NAF’s ability to respond to emerging threats, particularly where speed, mobility and sustained aerial support were critical to ground operations.

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According to him, the two H-125 helicopters would complement the AW-109s by providing versatile light-helicopter capabilities for various operational requirements.

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The NAF said the platforms would collectively expand its flexibility and capacity to respond to changing operational demands, including moving personnel and equipment, conducting surveillance and supporting joint forces operating in difficult-to-reach areas.

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Helicopters Undergoing Assembly

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The NAF said the newly delivered platforms were undergoing post-delivery assembly and other technical processes ahead of their formal induction and operational deployment.

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The process, it added, would include crew-readiness and technical preparations required to ensure that the helicopters were fully prepared for operational employment.

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Aneke stressed that the NAF’s responsibility went beyond acquiring new platforms, noting that the service must ensure that the Federal Government’s investment translated into measurable operational results.

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He said the service would continue to prioritise effective employment, maintenance and logistics sustainment to ensure maximum availability of the aircraft.

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“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.

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The acquisition comes as the Armed Forces continue operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats across multiple theatres.

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The NAF said the additional rotary-wing capacity would strengthen support for joint forces by improving the speed, reach and effectiveness of air support available to troops on the ground.

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The new helicopters are expected to enhance operational mobility, surveillance and responsiveness while supporting ground forces in their efforts to counter terrorists and other criminal elements.

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With the remaining seven AW-109 Trekker B helicopters expected before the end of 2026, the NAF is set to further expand its rotary-wing fleet and strengthen its capacity to provide air support for joint military operations.

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