The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has expanded its rotary-wing capability with the arrival of five new helicopters, giving the Service additional platforms for intelligence gathering, surveillance, search and rescue and air support for troops engaged in operations across the country.
The latest additions comprise three AW-109 Trekker B helicopters from Leonardo Helicopters of Italy and two H-125 helicopters manufactured by Airbus Helicopters.
The three AW-109 Trekker B helicopters arrived in Lagos on September 15, 2026, as part of a government acquisition of 10 aircraft of the type. The remaining seven helicopters are expected to be delivered before the end of the year.
The two H-125 helicopters had already been delivered, bringing the number of newly acquired helicopters covered by the latest procurement to five.
The development comes as the NAF continues to strengthen its fleet and increase the availability of aircraft for operations requiring close coordination between air and ground forces.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, said the new helicopters would provide additional flexibility in the deployment of airpower and improve the Service’s responsiveness across different operational theatres.
According to him, the acquisition is part of the Federal Government’s sustained investment in modernising and re-equipping the Nigerian Air Force.
“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 AW-109 Trekker B helicopters are expected to undertake a range of missions, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, close air support and armed escort.
They will also be available for combat search and rescue missions and other joint operations conducted in support of surface forces.
The multi-role capability of the platforms is expected to give the NAF additional options in situations requiring rapid aerial assessment, troop support and coordinated responses between aviation and ground components.
For military commanders, the availability of additional helicopters can also provide greater flexibility in assigning aircraft to different operational requirements, particularly where surveillance, mobility and immediate air support are required.
The arrival of the aircraft is consequently being viewed within the NAF as an important component of efforts to improve asset availability and sustain air operations.
Aneke also acknowledged the role of the Federal Government in the ongoing transformation of the Service, expressing appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support for the modernisation programme.
He said the investment was helping the NAF progressively build the capabilities needed to fulfil its operational responsibilities and respond to evolving security challenges.
“On behalf of the officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force, I express our profound appreciation to Mr President for his sustained support for the transformation and modernisation of the Service,” he said.
The delivery of the AW-109 helicopters also signals that the government’s planned acquisition of 10 of the platforms is progressing, with seven more expected to arrive before the end of 2026.
Once delivered, the additional aircraft will further increase the number of rotary-wing assets available to the NAF for a variety of missions.
The development comes against the backdrop of the increasing importance of air support in contemporary military operations, where surveillance, intelligence and rapid response capabilities are critical to coordinating activities across large and difficult operational environments.
With the latest acquisitions, the NAF is expected to have additional capacity to support surface forces while undertaking specialised missions such as reconnaissance, armed escort and combat search and rescue.
The arrival of the helicopters therefore represents not only an expansion of the Service’s fleet but also another step in the broader effort to build a more flexible and responsive military aviation capability for Nigeria’s security operations.
