The Nigerian air force says it has recorded another significant milestone in its ongoing fleet modernization drive with the successful completion of a factory acceptance test on additional batch of three AW109 Trekker type B helicopters at the Leonardo helicopters facility in Vergiate, Italy.
A statement by the director of public relations and information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame indicates that conducted from 29 June to 3 July 2026 by a delegation comprising representatives of the NAF and the Ministry of Defence, the exercise underscores the federal government’s sustained commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s air power capabilities and enhancing the operational readiness of the armed forces in addressing the nation’s evolving security challenges.
The chief of the air staff , Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, stated that the dynamic nature of contemporary security threats demands agile, technologically advanced and mission-ready air capabilities.
The successful acceptance of these additional helicopters marks another important step in strengthening the Nigerian air force’s capacity to deliver decisive air power effects in synergy with surface forces, deny criminal elements freedom of action and enhance security across our nation
The exercise also reaffirmed the steady progress being made under the NAF’s fleet modernization programme, reflecting the service’s determination to induct only reliable and mission-ready platforms capable of delivering decisive air power effects across the full spectrum of operations.
