By Ade Oyeyemi
President Bola Tinubu has strengthened the operational fleet of the Nigerian Air Force with the induction of five newly acquired helicopters as part of efforts to improve military operations against insecurity across the country.
The aircraft, comprising two Airbus H125 helicopters and three AW109 Trekker helicopters, were formally added to the Air Force’s Order of Battle during a ceremony at the Presidential Air Fleet hangars on Thursday.
Tinubu presided over the event alongside the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke; Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Waidi Shaibu; and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas.
The helicopters, which were delivered to the NAF in September 2026, are expected to strengthen its intelligence-gathering, surveillance and combat capabilities.
Speaking at the ceremony, Aneke said the three AW109 Trekker helicopters would enhance intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations, close air support, armed reconnaissance and combat search-and-rescue missions.
He added that the two H125 helicopters would improve the availability of rotary-wing aircraft and provide commanders with greater flexibility in deploying air assets across different operational theatres.
The Air Chief disclosed that the delivery formed part of the service’s achievements within the period covered by its one-year assessment, stressing that acquiring aircraft was only one aspect of building operational strength.
According to him, the effectiveness of the new platforms would depend on their availability, maintenance and the readiness of trained personnel to operate them.
“Aircraft availability is continuously monitored because acquisition only creates capability when platforms are available, serviceable and supported by trained personnel,” Aneke said.
The induction comes amid the Air Force’s broader fleet modernisation programme, under which the service is expecting additional aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles to expand its operational capacity.
The planned acquisitions include 24 M-346 fighter and ground-attack aircraft, 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters, 12 Aksungur unmanned combat aerial vehicles, seven AW109 Trekker helicopters, six T-129 ATAK helicopters, three CASA C-295 medium airlifters, two CH-4D unmanned aerial vehicles and one H-225 multi-role helicopter.
The 67 platforms are expected to improve the Air Force’s capabilities in surveillance, intelligence gathering, air strikes, close air support and the movement of troops and equipment.
Aneke had earlier described the modernisation initiative as a long-term investment in military capability rather than a mere procurement exercise, saying the programme was being implemented to address evolving operational requirements.
The newly inducted helicopters are expected to complement the planned acquisitions and strengthen the Air Force’s response to security threats across the country.
