The new additions are expected to significantly bolster the Nigerian Navy’s air capabilities, providing enhanced support for maritime security and search and rescue operations.
Lagos , Nigeria — The Nigerian Navy has officially taken delivery of three new Agusta Westland 109 Trekker helicopters, acquired to enhance operational capabilities.
The aircraft were handed over by the Ministry of Defence at a ceremony in Ikeja, Lagos, on November 12, 2024.
In a statement released Wednesday, the Director of Naval Information, Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, detailed the handover event, which was attended by the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, along with other senior naval officers.
“The Ministry of Defence handed over three Agusta Westland 109 Trekker helicopters to the Nigerian Navy,” Commodore Adams-Aliu said. “The brief handover ceremony took place in Ikeja, Lagos, with the CNS and senior officers in attendance to receive the newly acquired helicopters.”
Vice Admiral Ogalla expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his steadfast support of the Nigerian Armed Forces, highlighting the administration’s commitment to strengthening the country’s defense infrastructure. He also thanked the Ministers of Defence, Abubakar Badaru and Bello Matawelle, for facilitating the procurement of the helicopters.
“The CNS thanked the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu, for his unflinching support to the Armed Forces in general and the Nigerian Navy in particular,” Adams-Aliu noted. “He also expressed appreciation to both the Honourable Minister of Defence and the Honourable Minister of State for Defence for their role in securing these helicopters to enhance naval operations.”
The Agusta Westland 109 Trekker helicopters will be utilized for a variety of missions, including air reconnaissance, search and rescue, medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), and air insertion. Adams-Aliu emphasized that the helicopters come equipped with features designed to boost operational efficiency.
“These helicopters are configured for VIP use, with full leather interiors and a noise attenuation system,” he explained. “They are designed with landing skids, which provide a higher loading capacity compared to wheeled helicopters, and feature auxiliary tanks that extend their endurance to up to 3 hours and 40 minutes.”
This extended range enables the helicopters to undertake long-distance transport missions. Furthermore, the aircraft can be retrofitted with specialized mission equipment to adapt to various operational needs.
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