Attack helicopters delivery date on track – NAF

Officials from the US Government’s AH-1Z Programme Management Office and Bell Textron Company have assured the Nigerian Air Force that the delivery date for the AH-1Z attack helicopters remains on track.

The United States Department of Defence had in December 2023 confirmed the sale of the 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and other arms to Nigeria.

According to a report on the US Defence website, the helicopters were expected to be completed in June 2024.

The report partly read, ”This modification increases the ceiling for the production and delivery of an additional 32 H-1 tech refresh mission computers in support of the AH-1Z aircraft for the government of Nigeria. Work will be performed in Salt Lake City, Utah (55%); Baltimore, Maryland (25%); and Woodland Hills, California (20%), and is expected to be completed in June 2024.

“No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued.”

But in a statement on Tuesday, the NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Edward Gabkwet, said the US government officials gave assurance that the delivery date for the helicopters was on track.

He said, “The Nigerian Air Force has been assured that the delivery dates for the AH-1Z attack helicopters purchased by the Federal Government remain on track.

“The assurance came when the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal Sayo Olatunde, met with officials of the United States Government and Bell Textron Company in the first Program Management Review meeting to discuss progress made so far on the supply of the AH-1Z attack helicopters to the NAF.

“The five-day meeting, which began on July 16 2024 at NAF Headquarters, majorly aims at reviewing the progress made so far regarding the manufacture of the aircraft, ensuring a smooth transition as well as providing technical guidance to the NAF.

“This collaboration demonstrates the assurance and strong partnership between Nigeria and the US in enhancing the country’s air power capabilities.”

Speaking during the meeting, Air Vice Marshal Olatunde noted that the PMR meeting underscores the impending delivery of the AH-1Z attack helicopters to boost NAF’s close air support and ground attack capabilities while also enhancing its modernization efforts.

He also stated that the AH-1Z Helicopters, when inducted into the NAF Order of Battle, will surely bolster its firepower and operational capabilities, particularly in counterterrorism and counter-insurgency operations.

Speaking earlier, the US Government AH-1Z Programme Management Office team leader, Mr Kevin Stone, noted that the collaboration between the NAF and the US military was a testament to their shared commitment to regional stability, peace and security.

He added that the successful implementation of PMR is expected to have a significant impact on Nigeria’s ability to tackle security challenges and ensure the safety of its citizens.