The Nigerian Air Force will soon take delivery of two AgustaWestland AW101 helicopters, which will be used for VIP transport duties.
One of the AW101s was seen at AgustaWestland's facility in Yeovil, Somerset, in the United Kingdom painted in Nigerian Air Force (NAF) VIP colours. The aircraft will presumably be operated by the NAF's 101 Presidential Air Fleet in Abuja, according to Air Forces Daily.
The Nigerian AW101s were originally scheduled to be delivered to the Indian Air Force, but the Indian contract was subsequently cancelled following allegations of bribery and corruption.
The NAF has been receiving a number of new aircraft recently and late last month took delivery of three Beechcraft King Air 350i light transport aircraft, which are operated by the 209 Executive Airlift Group (EAG) at Abuja-Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. The 209 EAG recently officially accepted an Mi-17-V5 helicopter, which had previously been operated by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for search and rescue duties.
Furthermore, the Nigerian government has apparently ordered 40 helicopters for attack and transport duties from the United States and Russia. This Day said the helicopters could start arriving as early as this month and the remainder could arrive by the end of the year.
It was earlier reported that Nigeria is receiving two helicopter gunships, most likely Mi-35s. The Nigerian Budget Office this year allocated funds for six Mi-35M helicopters.
On a related note, the Nigerian Air Force's Mil Mi-34C helicopters have been transferred to New Zealand. Between eight and 12 were delivered around 2002 for pilot training but had been withdrawn by 2011 due to gearbox issues. By December 2013, six of the original batch had arrived in New Zealand.
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Is this not a SICK country??

Good work by GEJ always misplacing their priorities

When will they buy one to fight Boko Haram?

Did they forget that if Boko Haram gets out of hand even their VIP helicopters won't be safe

Let me know when they buy 4.5 generation fighter jets... Clueless set of people

Mynd44: When will they buy one to fight Boko Haram?

Did they forget that if Boko Haram gets out of hand even their VIP helicopters won't be safe

so even you a mod believe these lies from the APC propaganda machines. Seun must answer to some kwestions for failing to give musiwa or manck ur job.

Mynd44: When will they buy one to fight Boko Haram?

Did they forget that if Boko Haram gets out of hand even their VIP helicopters won't be safe

celeron40:
Furthermore, the Nigerian government has apparently ordered 40 helicopters for attack and transport duties from the United States and Russia. This Day said the helicopters could start arriving as early as this month and the remainder could arrive by the end of the year.
It was earlier reported that Nigeria is receiving two helicopter gunships, most likely Mi-35s. The Nigerian Budget Office this year allocated funds for six Mi-35M helicopters.

you didn't read this part or ??


Good one MR. president

2cato: so even you a mod believe these lies from the APC propaganda machines. Seun must answer to some kwestions for failing to give musiwa or manck ur job.

Why do clowns like you blame APC for everything?! Defenceweb is an international defence online platform. what has APC to do with that? Graduates with KG1 I.Qs.

MarvellousGod:
you didn't read this part or ??


Good one MR. president

Are you not worried that the VIP ones are arriving first?

For months Now DHQ and mr president Have been telling us about New delivery of hardware. But all we see are VIP transport plane. Tooo bad.

Mynd44:
Are you not worried that the VIP ones are arriving first?

Even the MI-35M is just 6. Haba not enough to police Abuja city. Not to talk of maiduguri with all its LG,Yobe and Adamawa. We need them in 100 along side Ground Attack fighter jet from the Russians with laser guided missiles not the Yanks fighters pls

What happen ystrday would have been repelled with adequate Air components

Mynd44:
Are you not worried that the VIP ones are arriving first?

That shows the priority the Nigerian govt has, smh. ...but thankGod they atleast have ones for attack in mind. .

Let hope this is true cos those Bottom-belle Officers at DHQ are as corrupt as the present government

Descartes: Let hope this is true cos those Bottom-belle Officers at DHQ are as corrupt as the present government

Waw. Can't believe YOU of all people. Believes these administration is corrupt. There HOPE for Nejeriya

Ibnsultan: Waw. Can't believe YOU of all people. Believes these administration is corrupt. There HOPE for Nejeriya

Please don't be surprise, we are in a failed Republic. An average political office holder be it a Canckerworm or supporter of APC is overtly corrupt.

The Nigerian Airforce finally gets to Agusta Westland in these time when Boko Haram is having upper hand against our poorly equipped troops and instead of ordering the Agusta Westland trim of the AH64 Apache attack copter they go for a VIP transport chopper instead ..Oh God where are thou in these times!!!

idupaul: The Nigerian Airforce finally gets to Agusta Westland in these time when Boko Haram is having upper hand against our poorly equipped troops and instead of ordering the Agusta Westland trim of the AH64 Apache attack copter they go for a VIP transport chopper instead ..Oh God where are thou in these times!!!

America will never sell Apaches to nigeria!

I really don't know why this is so hard for people to understand...

davitogreat:

America will never sell Apaches to nigeria!

I really don't know why this is so hard for people to understand...

Did you read my post well at all ,Do you know Agusta is an Italian helicopter builder and do you even know they have a licenced trim of the AH64 Apache named the MK 1 which the have been selling to a lot of militaries , yes its not as advanced as the American version but it is a damn good attack copter that can hold its own against many close quarter air support battles.

davitogreat:

America will never sell Apaches to nigeria!

I really don't know why this is so hard for people to understand...

I don't know o! Some peeps know nothing about the link between politics and defence acquisitions...Russian equipment is our surest bet.