Nigeria: 18 new military helicopters are arriving
Bell AH-1Z Viper and TAI T-129 Atak expected in September
The heads of the Nigerian Air Force (Naf, Nigerian Air Force) announced in the past few hours that the armed force will soon take delivery of 18 new attack helicopters: 12 supplied by the United States and another 6 by Turkey. Deliveries are expected in September. This is a move that is part of the initiatives to upgrade the African country's aircraft fleet.
"Aircraft are arriving and our capabilities are increasing. NAF is committed to innovation. We have also established and strengthened the Institute of Safety, where we train pilots and technicians in the fundamentals of aviation safety, to improve culture in aviation military", said Nigerian Air Force Chief of Staff Hassan Abubakar.
In detail, the government has approved the acquisition of 12 US-made Bell AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters, a modern aircraft marketed since 2010, equipped with air-to-air, anti-tank and rocket missiles. Also purchased six multi-purpose combat helicopters TAI T-129 Atak of Italian-Turkish production, in service since 2014, also equipped with air-to-surface, anti-tank and air-to-air missiles.
AVIONEWS - World Aeronautical Press Agency