Nigeria procures 18 assault helicopters from the United States and Turkey
The Nigerian Air Force has announced its imminent reception of 18 attack helicopters from both the United States and Turkey, a move aimed at enhancing its aircraft arsenal.
During a single-day inspection tour of units falling under the NAF 115 Special Operations Group in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Air Chief Marshal Hassan Abubakar disclosed this information. He also expressed his presence in the state to offer condolences to the families of the NAF pilots and crew who tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash in Niger on August 14.
Abubakar conveyed that while the force is deeply saddened by the recent loss of their MI 171 helicopter, they remain resolute, as they have more assets scheduled for acquisition in the near future.
He remarked, "Recent events do not discourage us, given that the Federal Government has greenlit the procurement of 12 AH1 Zulu Cobra helicopters from the United States and six T129 helicopters from Turkey. The initial pair of T129 helicopters is slated to become operational by September, substantially boosting our operational aptitude."
The ill-fated MI 171 helicopter, which met with an accident on Monday, August 14, was in transit from Kaduna to Minna, the capital of Niger State.
Leave A Comment