The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has taken delivery a step closer after successfully completing the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) for an additional three AW109 Trekker Type B helicopters at the Leonardo Helicopters facility in Vergiate, Italy.
According to NAF on Friday, the acceptance exercise, conducted from 29 June to 3 July 2026 by a joint delegation from the NAF and the Ministry of Defence, confirmed that the helicopters met all contractual and operational requirements ahead of their delivery to Nigeria.
The new platforms are expected to strengthen the NAF’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), close air support, armed escort, combat search-and-rescue, and other joint operations in support of ground troops.
TheFact Daily notes that the latest acquisition is part of the Federal Government’s ongoing drive to modernise the Air Force’s fleet in response to evolving security threats. In recent years, the NAF has significantly expanded its air assets with the induction of platforms including the A-29 Super Tucano attack aircraft, T-129 ATAK helicopters, Diamond DA62 surveillance aircraft, King Air 360i aircraft, AgustaWestland AW109 Trekker helicopters, and M-346 fighter aircraft, alongside ongoing deliveries of additional combat and support platforms. The sustained acquisition programme is aimed at improving operational reach, precision strike capability, intelligence gathering and rapid response across multiple theatres of operation.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, said the evolving security environment requires agile, technologically advanced and mission-ready air capabilities. He noted that the additional AW109 Trekker helicopters will further enhance the NAF’s ability to deliver decisive air power in support of ground forces, deny terrorists and other criminal groups freedom of action, and strengthen national security.
The successful acceptance exercise also reflects the Federal Government’s continued investment in strengthening the operational capabilities of the Armed Forces, the NAF said, adding that the fleet modernisation programme remains central to its efforts to restore peace, protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity and create a secure environment for national development.
