President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has boosted Nigeria’s airpower capabilities with the delivery of five new helicopters to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to tackle insecurity across the country.
The newly delivered aircraft comprise three AW-109 Trekker B helicopters manufactured by Italy’s Leonardo Helicopters and two H-125 helicopters produced by Airbus Helicopters.
The three AW-109 helicopters arrived in Lagos on 15 September 2026. They are part of a batch of 10 acquired by the Federal Government, with the remaining seven expected before the end of the year. The two H-125 helicopters had been delivered earlier.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described the acquisition as an important step in the ongoing modernisation and re-equipment of the Nigerian Air Force.
According to him, the additional aircraft will improve operational flexibility and strengthen the service’s ability to support ground troops across different theatres of operation.
The AW-109 Trekker B helicopters are expected to enhance intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance, close air support, armed escort and combat search-and-rescue operations.
The H-125 helicopters, meanwhile, will provide light helicopter support for a range of operational assignments.
Aneke expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for supporting the modernisation of the Air Force, noting that the investment would help the service respond more effectively to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
He also stressed the importance of maintaining the aircraft properly and ensuring they deliver tangible results in military operations.
The Air Force disclosed that the newly delivered platforms were undergoing technical preparations, post-delivery assembly and crew-readiness procedures ahead of their formal induction and operational deployment.
The additional helicopters are expected to strengthen support for joint military operations against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, while improving the speed and reach of air support available to troops on the ground.
The Federal Government’s acquisition forms part of broader efforts to improve the operational capacity of the armed forces and strengthen national security.
