ABUJA — The Federal Government has taken a major step toward expanding Nigeria’s counter-insurgency capabilities, sealing a landmark agreement with the United States for the procurement and production of 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
The deal was formally consolidated during a symbolic beam-signing ceremony at the Bell Textron manufacturing facility in Amarillo, Texas, where a high-level Nigerian delegation led by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, marked the official commencement of production for the specialized fleet.
The overall procurement package, valued at nearly $1 billion under the United States Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, includes state-of-the-art avionics, guidance systems, spare parts, weapons integration, and comprehensive flight crew training. Designed for precision strike missions, close air support, and reconnaissance, the twin-engine AH-1Z Viper will provide the Nigerian military with specialized firepower to combat terrorism, armed banditry, and oil theft across critical operational theaters.
Addressing defense officials and industrial partners in Texas, Air Marshal Aneke described the strategic induction as a pivotal milestone in fulfilling President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mandate to modernize the armed forces and enhance joint-operational efficiency with ground troops. He emphasized that acquiring advanced platforms must translate directly into decisive operational impact on the frontline rather than serving as mere hardware additions.
The ceremonial production launch in Texas comes on the heels of a broader fleet expansion drive by the Federal Government. Just days earlier, the Nigerian Air Force took delivery of five new utility and combat support helicopters—comprising three Italian-made AW-109 Trekker B platforms and two Airbus H-125 units—as part of a multi-stage defense re-armament strategy. Full production and delivery of the 12 US-built Viper attack helicopters are scheduled for completion by early 2029.
