President Bola Tinubu has inducted five new helicopters into the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) as part of efforts to strengthen military operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other security threats across Nigeria.
Key Highlights
- President Tinubu inducted five new helicopters into the Nigerian Air Force.
- The fleet comprises three Leonardo AW-109 Trekker B and two Airbus H-125 helicopters.
- The AW-109s will handle surveillance, close air support, armed escort and combat search and rescue.
- The H-125s will support surveillance and tactical mobility.
- The NAF says maintenance, logistics and training are key to getting the best from the aircraft.
The development was disclosed in a statement signed by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, on Thursday, October 29, 2026.
The newly inducted aircraft comprise three Leonardo AW-109 Trekker B helicopters and two Airbus H-125 helicopters, which are expected to expand the air force’s rotary-wing fleet and improve its capacity to support ground troops in different operational theatres.
Roles Of The New Helicopters
According to the statement, the three AW-109 Trekker B helicopters will be deployed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, close air support, armed escort, combat search and rescue, and other joint military operations.
The two Airbus H-125 helicopters will provide additional support for surveillance, tactical mobility and other operational assignments requiring light helicopters.
The induction is expected to improve the availability of aircraft for missions, strengthen situational awareness and enable the air force to respond more effectively to security challenges across the country.
The additional platforms will also support ongoing military operations by providing air assistance to troops engaged in efforts to combat insurgency, armed banditry and kidnapping.
However, the air force said the effective use of the aircraft would depend not only on their acquisition, but also on sustained investment in maintenance, logistics, technical expertise and personnel training.
The service said it remains committed to improving operational readiness and ensuring that investments in modern aircraft translate into better mission outcomes and more effective support for joint military operations.
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Service Chiefs Attend Ceremony
The induction ceremony was attended by the national security adviser, the chief of defence staff, other service chiefs, ministers, members of the National Assembly and senior government and military officials.
The event highlighted the federal government’s ongoing efforts to modernise the Armed Forces and strengthen the country’s defence capabilities amid persistent security challenges.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, has emphasised the need to combine modern equipment with mission-focused training, effective maintenance and professional development to achieve improved operational effectiveness.
The latest induction represents another step in the air force’s efforts to build a more capable and technologically advanced fleet to support national security operations and protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
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