The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has taken delivery of five new helicopters as part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to modernize and strengthen the operational capabilities of the Armed Forces.
The latest acquisition comprises 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 issued by the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the three AW-109 Trekker B helicopters arrived in Lagos on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
The helicopters are part of a batch of 10 AW-109 Trekker B platforms recently acquired by the Federal Government, with the remaining seven expected to be delivered before the end of the year.
More Read
The two H-125 helicopters had already been delivered to the NAF, bringing the total number of helicopters covered by the latest acquisition to five.
Reacting to the development, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described the arrival of the helicopters as another milestone in the Federal Government’s investment in the modernization and re-equipment of the NAF.
Aneke said the new platforms would increase aircraft availability and provide commanders with greater flexibility in deploying airpower in support of ongoing military operations across the country.
More Read
“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 said the helicopters would particularly strengthen the NAF’s ability to provide timely aerial support to troops operating in challenging environments.
He added that the AW-109 Trekker B helicopters would enhance the service’s rotary-wing capabilities, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), close air support, armed escort and combat search and rescue, as well as other joint missions.
According to Aneke, the versatility of the AW-109 platform would give military commanders additional options for rapidly deploying air assets in support of troops involved in counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency and other internal security operations.
He said the helicopters would also improve the NAF’s ability to respond to emerging threats in situations where speed, mobility and sustained aerial support are critical.
The two H-125 helicopters, he explained, would complement the AW-109s by providing versatile light-helicopter capabilities for various operational requirements.
More Read
The NAF said the helicopters would collectively expand its capacity to move personnel and equipment, conduct surveillance and support joint forces operating in difficult-to-reach areas.
Helicopters Undergoing Assembly
The Air Force disclosed that the newly delivered platforms are currently undergoing post-delivery assembly and other technical processes ahead of their formal induction and eventual operational deployment.
The process will also involve crew-readiness activities and technical preparations to ensure the helicopters are fully prepared for operational use.
Aneke stressed that the responsibility of the NAF goes beyond acquiring new aircraft, noting that the service must ensure that government investments translate into measurable operational results.
He said the NAF would continue to prioritise effective aircraft 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,” Aneke said.
The acquisition comes as Nigeria’s Armed Forces continue operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats across multiple theatres.
The NAF said the additional rotary-wing capacity would strengthen support for joint operations by improving the speed, reach and effectiveness of aerial assistance available to troops on the ground.
With the remaining seven AW-109 Trekker B helicopters expected before the end of 2026, the latest procurement is expected to further expand the NAF’s rotary-wing fleet and provide additional capacity for military operations across Nigeria.
