FG Moves to Acquire 12 US Attack Helicopters

The Federal Government has moved closer to acquiring 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters from the United States as part of efforts to strengthen the Nigerian Armed Forces and improve the country’s airpower capabilities.

The development followed a beam signing ceremony held with Bell Textron in Amarillo, Texas, United States, where the Nigerian Air Force took another step towards the planned acquisition.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, led a delegation of senior Nigerian Air Force officials to the ceremony, which formed part of the defence cooperation programme between Nigeria and the United States.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.

According to the statement, the planned acquisition is part of the Federal Government’s wider programme to modernise the Armed Forces and improve Nigeria’s ability to respond to security threats.

Aneke said the AH-1Z Viper helicopters would add to the operational capacity of the Nigerian Armed Forces and support the Air Force in carrying out its security duties.

He said the programme was in line with his plan to maintain a well-trained and professional force capable of providing effective air support alongside ground forces during military operations.

The Chief of the Air Staff also said the equipment being acquired must translate into improved operational results and contribute to the country’s national security efforts.

Aneke acknowledged the support of President Bola Tinubu for the military modernisation programme and appreciated the cooperation of the United States Government and other partners involved in the helicopter acquisition project.

He also recognised the role of Bell Textron, Programme Management Air 276 and other stakeholders working with Nigeria on the AH-1Z Viper programme.

The Air Force chief said continued cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, as well as technical support and training, would remain important to the successful completion of the programme.

During the visit, the Nigerian delegation also toured the AH-1Z Viper production line at the Bell Textron facility in Texas.

The visit provided the officials with an opportunity to inspect the manufacturing process and gain further insight into the helicopters being acquired by Nigeria.

The latest development is part of a wider effort by the Federal Government and the Nigerian Air Force to expand the country’s military aviation capabilities and improve its response to security challenges.

The move also comes only six days after the Nigerian Air Force received five additional helicopters under the government’s ongoing airpower modernisation programme.

The five helicopters consisted of three AW-109 Trekker B aircraft produced by Leonardo Helicopters of Italy and two H-125 helicopters manufactured by Airbus Helicopters.

The recent acquisitions and the planned purchase of the AH-1Z Viper helicopters form part of efforts to provide the Nigerian military with more modern aircraft and equipment for operations against security threats across the country.