Acquisition of 12 AH-1Z viper attack helicopters major milestone — Army chief

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, says the acquisition of 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is a major milestone.

Aneke said this when he led the NAF delegation to Bell Textron in Amarillo, Texas, United States, for the beam signing ceremony.

This is contained in a statement on Monday in Abuja, by the Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.

Aneke said the milestone represented an important step in the implementation of the Nigeria–United States Government defence cooperation programme and Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to modernise its armed forces.

He also said that the acquisition reflected the strategic vision of the Federal Government of Nigeria to strengthen the nation’s defence and security architecture as well as provided the armed forces with requisite platforms and capabilities to address current and emerging security threats.

The CAS expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his strategic leadership, unwavering support and commitment to strengthening the nation’s defence and security architecture.

According to him, the acquisition demonstrates the federal government commitment to enhancing operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Armed Forces and ensuring that NAF remains adequately positioned to fulfil its constitutional responsibilities.

“The acquisition of the AH-1Z Viper helicopters represents an important milestone in our continuing efforts to build a more capable, professional and mission-ready Nigerian Air Force.”

The CAS also said that the acquisition aligned with his command philosophy of enhancing and sustaining highly motivated, professional and mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive airpower effects in synergy with surface forces to realise national security objectives.

He stressed the need for personnel to ensure that the capabilities being acquired translate into enhanced operational effectiveness in support of national security.

Aneke also acknowledged continued support and cooperation of the United States Government, Bell Textron, Programme Management of Air 276 and other stakeholders involved in the AH-1Z Viper programme.

He emphasised that sustained defence cooperation, technical collaboration and capability development remained essential to successful implementation of the programme. (NAN)