The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is set to receive seven more helicopters before the end of 2026 following the arrival of three newly acquired AW-109 Trekker B aircraft in Lagos.
The latest delivery brings to five the number of new helicopters supplied to the Service under the Federal Government’s ongoing re-equipment programme, with two H-125 helicopters already delivered earlier, according to TVC News.
The three AW-109 Trekker B helicopters, manufactured by Leonardo Helicopters of Italy, arrived in Lagos on Tuesday, September 15, as part of an order for 10 of the platforms placed by the Federal Government.
The NAF said the remaining seven helicopters from the acquisition are expected to be delivered before the end of the year, pointing to a further expansion of its rotary-wing fleet in the coming months.
The latest platforms are expected to provide additional flexibility for the deployment of airpower in support of troops engaged in ongoing operations across different parts of the country.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, said the arrival of the aircraft would increase aircraft availability and strengthen the Service’s capacity to respond to security challenges.
“The arrival of these five helicopters provides greater flexibility in the employment of airpower in support of ground troops in ongoing operations,” Aneke said.
The H-125 helicopters, produced by Airbus Helicopters, form part of the five platforms now added to the NAF fleet, while the AW-109 Trekker B aircraft represent the first batch of the 10 recently acquired helicopters.
Aneke described the deliveries as another milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to modernise and re-equip the Air Force, while commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting the Service’s transformation programme.
