The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has taken delivery of five new helicopters as the Federal Government steps up efforts to modernise and re-equip the Armed Forces to meet evolving security challenges.
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 sustained investment in strengthening the operational capabilities of the service.
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. The remaining seven helicopters are expected to be delivered before the end of 2026.
The two H-125 helicopters were delivered earlier, bringing the total number of helicopters from the latest acquisition to five.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described the development as another milestone in the ongoing modernisation and re-equipment of 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.
He said the new platforms would particularly enhance the NAF’s ability 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,” he said.
The Air Chief also expressed appreciation to 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 fulfil its operational responsibilities and respond to Nigeria’s evolving security threats.
According to Aneke, 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 also support other joint missions involving ground forces.
“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.
He said the helicopters would further improve the NAF’s ability to respond to emerging threats, particularly in situations where speed, mobility and sustained aerial support are critical to ground operations.
The two H-125 helicopters, he added, would complement the AW-109s by providing versatile light-helicopter capabilities for a range of operational requirements.
The NAF said the platforms would collectively expand its flexibility and capacity to respond to changing operational demands, including the movement of personnel and equipment, surveillance missions and support for joint forces operating in difficult-to-reach areas.
Helicopters Undergoing Assembly
The NAF said the newly delivered helicopters were undergoing post-delivery assembly and other technical processes ahead of their formal induction and deployment for operations.
The process will also include crew-readiness and technical preparations to ensure the platforms are fully prepared for operational employment.
Aneke stressed that the NAF’s responsibility extends beyond the acquisition of new aircraft, noting that the service must ensure that government investment translates into measurable operational outcomes.
He said the NAF would continue to prioritise effective employment, maintenance and logistics sustainment to maximise aircraft availability.
“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.
