Tinubu adds two helicopters to NAF’s fleet, says well-equipped military essential

President Bola Tinubu has inducted two brand new Agusta 109 Trekker helicopters into the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) inventory.

The induction ceremony, which held on Friday at the Presidential Air Fleet Apron in Abuja, was part of activities to commemorate the 61st anniversary of NAF.

Tinubu, who was represented at the event by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, commended NAF for advancing national security objectives and assured continued federal support for defence modernisation.

He said the acquisition, made alongside “platforms such as the Diamond-62 surveillance aircraft, the T-129 ATAK helicopters, and the King Air 360i aircraft, underscores our resolve to prioritise fleet modernisation and the welfare of our men and women in uniform”.

He highlighted NAF’s engagements in countries like The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Mali, and described the force as a “cynosure of operational excellence” and a source of pride for Nigeria.

“Neither economic prosperity nor justice can prevail amidst insecurity. Therefore, the Nigerian Armed Forces must intensify efforts to conclusively defeat the enemies of our collective progress and safeguard the future of our nation,” he said.

“A well-equipped military is essential not only for securing our nation but also for preserving our democracy.

“My administration will remain steadfast in modernising the Armed Forces and investing in cutting-edge defence technologies to confront both conventional and asymmetric threats.”

Tinubu said the induction ceremony is not merely about adding new helicopters to the fleet but a strategic statement of intent.

“It’s a demonstration of our collective resolve to defend our nation and reinforce Nigeria’s leadership in Africa,” he said.

In his welcome address, Hasan Abubakar, chief of air staff, described the induction as a major milestone in the service’s drive to modernise its fleet and enhance operational effectiveness across all theatres.

“The dynamic security landscape of our nation demands an agile, well-equipped, and responsive Air Force,” the air chief said.

“The induction of the Agusta 109 Trekker, a versatile, light twin-engine multi-role helicopter, is a significant leap in our modernisation efforts.

“It will strengthen our multi-domain operational capability, increase responsiveness, and enable efficient mission delivery.”