The Nigerian Army Aviation recently acquired the initial batch of two Bell UH-1H 'Huey' helicopters. These helicopters were officially delivered during a ceremony held last week at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The aircraft (NA 010 and NA 011) were formally received by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, on June 20 in what the Nigerian Army said was a significant step forward in enhancing its operational capabilities.
The arrival of the helicopters “marks a significant milestone in the development of the Nigerian Army Aviation’s capacity to provide air support for ground operations,” it said.
Lagbaja mentioned that the initiative to establish a Nigerian Army Aviation wing was originally envisioned by the former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah who is now retired in 2014. The plan was designed to unfold over a ten-year period in three distinct phases.
Brigadier General Musa Alkali, Coordinator of Nigerian Army Aviation, meanwhile, emphasized during the UH-1 delivery ceremony that acquiring these platforms underscores the Nigerian Army's commitment to enhancing its reconnaissance, surveillance, and air mobility capabilities.
NA 011, previously registered as ZT-RAI in South Africa until June, was originally manufactured in 1966. It served with the US Army until 1996, after which it was transferred to Helinet Corp in California and operated under the registration N313CF. Later, it was used by Northwest Helicopters and Turbines LLC before being delivered to South Africa in 2015.
NA 010, previously registered as ZT-RCS in South Africa until June of this year, was put up for sale earlier in the year. Manufactured in 1968, it served with the US Army before transitioning to the civilian market as N518CB. It was exported to South Africa by Northwest Helicopters in 2014. Northwest Helicopters is renowned for its extensive experience in refurbishing, repairing, maintaining, and overhauling UH-1H helicopters for over four decades.
In March of the previous year, MD Helicopters announced that the Nigerian Army had awarded them a contract for the supply of 12 Cayuse Warrior Plus scout/attack helicopters. These helicopters are intended to support counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations within the country.
The delivery of the aircraft, initially scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2023, has not occurred yet.
In 2023, Nigeria allocated NGN3.1 billion (approximately $6.6 million at that time) for three UH-1 helicopters and NGN2.8 billion for three Magnus MF-212 surveillance and attack aircraft for the Army. Moving into 2024, the budget set aside NGN2.6 trillion ($2.8 billion at the time) specifically aimed at establishing the Nigerian Army’s aviation wing.
Nigeria has outlined plans to assemble Magnus light aircraft locally at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, with an allocation of $5 million earmarked for this purpose as of January 2023.
The Magnus MF 212, developed by Belarusian company BVST (Belspetsvneshtechnika), has been tailored for homeland security, surveillance, and patrol missions. It features capabilities such as compatibility with an iSKY-30 HD electro-optical gimbal and the ability to carry R-60-NT-L or R-60-NT-T-2 missiles.
BVST has collaborated previously with the Nigerian Air Force, providing maintenance for Mi-35 helicopters and offering training services. Despite limited details from BVST on the development of the MF 212, the aircraft is listed in the sales catalogue of Greek company International Armour.
