President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday, October 29, inducted five newly acquired helicopters into the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) inventory to boost its operations.

The five aircraft inducted into the NAF Order of Battle at the Presidential Air Fleet hangars comprised two Airbus H-125 helicopters and three Augusta 109 Trekker B helicopters.

President Tinubu performed the commissioning alongside the Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Sunday Aneke (CAS), the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas.

The five helicopters were delivered to the Nigerian Air Force in September 2026.

The NAF Chief Air Marshal Aneke said the AW109 Trekker helicopters would enhance intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, close air support, armed reconnaissance and combat search and rescue. While the H125 helicopters would improve rotary-wing availability and provide commanders with greater flexibility across operational theatres.

“Within the period covered by our one-year assessment, five new helicopters were delivered in September 2026. These comprised three AW109 Trekker helicopters and two H125 helicopters.

“The AW109 Trekker provides enhanced capabilities for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, close air support, armed reconnaissance and combat search and rescue, while the H125 enhances rotary-wing availability and gives commanders greater flexibility across multiple theatres.

“Aircraft availability is continuously monitored because acquisition only creates capability at the Presidential Air Fleet hangars. When platforms are available, serviceable and supported by trained personnel,” he said.

The Chief of Air Staff in early October 2026 disclosed plans to receive additional aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles as part of its ongoing fleet modernisation programme.

The disclosure followed the delivery of five helicopters in September 2026. The five helicopters inducted comprised three AW109 Trekker helicopters and two H125 helicopters.

The expected platforms include 24 M-346 fighter/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 platforms, totalling 67, are expected to strengthen the Air Force’s capabilities in intelligence gathering, air strikes, close air support, surveillance and troop and equipment transportation.

Speaking in an interview with the Defence Correspondent Magazine, the NAF Chief said the service modernisation programme was being pursued as a long-term capability development initiative rather than merely an acquisition exercise.

“The modernisation programme is progressing, and we are deliberately approaching it as a long-term capability development programme rather than simply an acquisition exercise,” the CAS had said.

“The modernisation programme is progressing, and we are deliberately approaching it as a long-term capability development programme rather than simply an acquisition exercise.

“Several additional platforms remain expected under the broader modernisation programme. These include:24 M-346 fighter/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 Nation)