Nigeria is upgrading and modernizing its armed forces' fleet of military aircraft. Last August it announced that in September it would take delivery of 18 new attack helicopters: 12 US Bell AH-1Z Vipers and 6 Turkish TAI T-129 Ataks. The objective of the Abuja government is twofold: on the one hand to improve the military operations of the army, on the other to relieve the pressure on the Nigerian Air Force.

"When we acquire the helicopters and other platforms, what we intend to achieve is to have helicopter formations organic to the use of units on the ground, so that when soldiers go on patrol, there is always an aircraft in the skies". Furthermore, "I think about promoting training, operational effectiveness and leadership in the administration of the troops. This way we can have a better army together", explained Army Chief of Staff Taoreed Lagbaja. 

Also for this reason, the Nigerian Navy will take delivery of three AW-109S GrandNew helicopters of Italian-British production by the end of this year. For their part, the army's military operations will be strengthened thanks to the air force, which will be able to focus more on providing "high operational and strategic requirements".

On the same topic, see also the article published by AVIONEWS.