Abuja, Nigeria – Officials from the US Government’s AH-1Z Programme Management Office and Bell Textron Company have reassured the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) that the delivery of the AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters remains on schedule.
In December 2023, the United States Department of Defense confirmed the sale of 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and other arms to Nigeria, with an expected completion date of June 2024.
A report on the US Defense website stated, “This modification increases the ceiling for the production and delivery of an additional 32 H-1 tech refresh mission computers in support of the AH-1Z aircraft for the government of Nigeria. Work will be performed in Salt Lake City, Utah (55%); Baltimore, Maryland (25%); and Woodland Hills, California (20%), and is expected to be completed in June 2024. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued.”
In a statement on Tuesday, NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Edward Gabkwet, confirmed the US government’s assurance that the delivery timeline for the helicopters is on track. He stated, “The Nigerian Air Force has been assured that the delivery dates for the AH-1Z attack helicopters purchased by the Federal Government remain on track.”