The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has received a second batch of AW109 Power helicopters after they were delivered by air from Italy last week. The batch consists of two copters that will join the fleet of choppers that Nigeria has acquired.
The two partially disassembled rotorcraft, along with equipment and spares, arrived at Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Abuja from Italy last week. The two choppers; NAF 579 and NAF 578 are being assembled in preparation for introduction into service alongside two others that were inducted into service in 2019.
The two latest AW109s will be deployed to theatres of operation across the country to reinforce the Air Force’s capability in the fight against insurgencies like Boko Haram and ISWAP. Since the Boko Haram insurgency broke, the NAF has been purchasing helicopters as well as reactivating previously grounded ones to enhance capabilities and offer aerial support to the military and the various counterterrorism operations.
