The Nigerian Air Force has taken delivery of five new helicopters as part of the Federal Government’s continuing programme to modernise the service’s rotary-wing fleet.
The aircraft comprise three Leonardo AW109 Trekker B helicopters and two Airbus H125s. The three AW109s arrived in Lagos on 15 September 2026 and form part of a batch of 10 acquired by the Federal Government. The remaining seven are expected to be delivered before the end of 2026.
The two H125 helicopters had been delivered earlier.
According to the Nigerian Air Force, the additional aircraft will increase fleet availability and provide greater flexibility in supporting operations across multiple theatres.
The AW109 Trekker Bs are intended to support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, close air support, armed escort, combat search and rescue and other joint operations involving surface forces.
The H125s will provide light helicopter support across a range of operational requirements.
Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke said the acquisition formed part of the Federal Government’s investment in the modernisation and re-equipment of 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,” he said.
The newly delivered helicopters are undergoing post-delivery assembly ahead of induction into service. This process includes the technical work and crew-readiness requirements necessary before the aircraft can become operational.
The Nigerian Air Force said maintenance and logistics sustainment would be a priority as the aircraft enter service.
Aneke said the additional rotary-wing capacity would strengthen support for joint forces involved in counter-terrorism, anti-kidnapping and anti-banditry operations, while improving the speed and reach of air support available to forces on the ground.
Once inducted and operational, the five helicopters will expand the Nigerian Air Force’s rotary-wing capacity while the service awaits delivery of the remaining seven AW109 Trekker Bs before the end of the year.
