By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has completed factory acceptance tests for an additional batch of three AW109 Trekker helicopters at the Leonardo facility in Vergiate, Italy, marking another major step in its fleet modernization drive.
According to a statement by Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, the tests were conducted from 29 June to 3 July 2026 by a joint delegation from the NAF and the Ministry of Defence.
The new helicopters are the AW109 Trekker Type B variants, designed for agility and multi-role operations.
Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, Chief of the Air Staff said the induction reflects the federal government’s commitment to equipping the armed forces with “agile, technologically advanced and mission-ready air capabilities” to tackle Nigeria’s evolving security threats.
“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,” Air Marshal Aneke stated.
The NAF added that the exercise reaffirms steady progress under its fleet modernization programme, with a focus on inducting only reliable platforms capable of delivering decisive air power across the full spectrum of operations — including counter-terrorism and internal security missions.
The helicopters are expected to join NAF’s existing fleet upon delivery to Nigeria, further enhancing air support for ground troops and rapid response operations nationwide.
