RismadarVoice Reporters
October 29, 2026
President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to formally induct five newly acquired helicopters into the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Thursday as part of efforts to strengthen military operations against terrorism, kidnapping and banditry across the country.
The aircraft comprise three AW-109 Trekker B helicopters manufactured by Leonardo Helicopters of Italy and two H-125 helicopters produced by Airbus Helicopters.
The induction ceremony, scheduled for 10 a.m. in Abuja, will also feature the commissioning of newly constructed hangars at the Presidential Air Fleet facility.
According to an announcement by the Nigerian Air Force, Tinubu will attend the ceremony as the special guest of honour, while the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, will host the event.
The development follows the delivery of the five helicopters in September as part of the Federal Government’s ongoing military modernisation programme.
The three AW-109 Trekker B helicopters arrived in Lagos on September 15 and form part of a larger acquisition of 10 aircraft of the same model.
The Air Force had earlier indicated that the remaining seven helicopters were expected before the end of 2026.
The two Airbus H-125 helicopters were delivered separately and subsequently underwent technical preparations ahead of operational deployment.
Speaking on the acquisitions, Aneke said the additional aircraft would improve the availability of air assets and strengthen the service’s ability to respond to security threats across different operational theatres.
According to the Air Force, the AW-109 Trekker B helicopters are designed to support intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance, close air support, armed escort and combat search-and-rescue missions.
The H-125 helicopters will provide additional light helicopter capabilities for various military support operations.
The service explained that the expanded fleet would improve operational flexibility and strengthen coordination with ground troops engaged in security operations.
Aneke also emphasised the importance of aircraft maintenance, technical readiness and logistics support to ensure that the new equipment contributes effectively to military operations.
The acquisition forms part of wider efforts to modernise the Nigerian Air Force through additional aircraft, improved infrastructure and enhanced operational readiness.
The Air Force has also outlined plans to acquire other military platforms, including attack helicopters, fighter aircraft and surveillance systems, although several of those acquisitions remain at different stages of implementation.
The planned induction is expected to mark another stage in the integration of the newly delivered helicopters into the Air Force’s operational fleet.
