NAF RECEIVES FIVE NEW HELICOPTERS TO BOOST SECURITY OPERATIONS
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By: Fasasi Hammad
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 respond to evolving security threats across the country.
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.
According to a statement by the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the acquisition is part of the Federal Government’s continued investment in strengthening the operational capabilities of the Air Force.
Ejodame said the three AW-109 Trekker B helicopters arrived in Lagos on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, as part of a batch of 10 helicopters recently acquired by the Federal Government.
He added that the remaining seven helicopters were expected to be delivered before the end of 2026.
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.
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 efforts to modernise and re-equip the NAF.
Aneke said the arrival of the helicopters would increase aircraft availability and provide commanders with greater flexibility in deploying airpower in support of ongoing military operations across the country.
According to him, the new platforms would particularly strengthen the NAF’s capacity to provide timely air support to ground troops operating in challenging environments.
“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 Air Chief commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support for the transformation and modernisation of the NAF.
He 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.
Aneke said the three AW-109 Trekker B helicopters would significantly strengthen the NAF’s rotary-wing capabilities, particularly in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), close air support, armed escort and combat search and rescue operations.
He added that the helicopters would 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.
The two H-125 helicopters, he noted, would complement the AW-109s by providing versatile light-helicopter capabilities for various operational requirements.
The NAF said the newly acquired platforms would collectively expand its flexibility and capacity to respond to changing operational demands, including the movement of personnel and equipment, surveillance and support for joint forces operating in difficult-to-reach areas.
The NAF said the newly delivered helicopters were undergoing post-delivery assembly and other technical processes ahead of their formal induction and operational deployment.
The process, according to the service, would include crew-readiness and technical preparations required to ensure that the platforms were fully prepared for operational deployment.
Aneke stressed that the NAF’s responsibility extended beyond the acquisition of new platforms, noting the need to ensure that the Federal Government’s investment translated into measurable operational results.
He said the service would continue to prioritise effective employment, maintenance and logistics sustainment to ensure maximum availability of the aircraft.
“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 acquisition comes as the Armed Forces continue operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats across multiple theatres.
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.
With the remaining seven AW-109 Trekker B helicopters expected before the end of 2026, the service is set to further expand its rotary-wing fleet and strengthen its capacity to support joint military operations.
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