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The Nigerian Air Force says the Federal Government is working towards taking delivery of the 12 AH-1Z cobra attack helicopters being procured from the United States. The Federal Government had paid about $1bn for the helicopters to combat insecurity.
The spokesperson for NAF, Commodore Ayodele Famuyiwa, told our correspondent in a telephone interview on Thursday that the equipment would assist the military in fighting insecurity.
The US Defence Security Cooperation Agency had said in a statement titled, ‘Nigeria – AH-1Z Attack Helicopter Related FMS Acquisitions’, that the estimated cost was $997m and that the sale would better equip Nigeria to contribute to shared security objectives, promote regional stability and build interoperability with the US and other western partners.
According to the DSCA, the sale includes the Bell-made Cobras; 28 General Electric-made T700-401C engines (24 installed, four spares); 2,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System used to convert unguided missiles into precision-guided missiles; M197 20mm machine gun; Night Vision Cueing Display; commercial variant GPS with Standard Positioning Service; communication equipment; electronic warfare systems; AN/AVS-9 Aviator’s Night Vision Imaging System and targeting and navigation systems. It also includes $25m for institutional and technical assistance to the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Meanwhile, many Nigerians had asked when the helicopters would be delivered to Nigeria aid the military’s fight against insurgents.
When asked, the Defence Headquarters noted that the AH-1Z cobra attack helicopters would add value to the operations of the Armed Forces.
The Director, Directorate of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, in an interview with our correspondent on Friday, said, “Any addition to our equipment holding will certainly add value to our operations.”
In a separate interview, the NAF spokesperson said he couldn’t confirm the reason for the delay in delivery.
He stated, “I know that the helicopters haven’t arrived. I may not be able to say specifically whatever the reason is. But it is obvious that having it will enhance our operational capability, and I trust that the government would do anything possible to make sure that they get the helicopters to us as soon as possible.
“For now, I don’t know the reason why they have not arrived. Again, you need to understand that securing new helicopters is not something you just go and shop and for in the supermarket. It takes some time to produce them, perhaps that is one of the reasons.
“I know that the government is still in the process of acquisition and they are making efforts to take delivery of the equipment. Also, the procurement of new airplanes takes a while before the necessary contract is completed. However, if the government has promised, of course it is committed to doing that to enhance the operational commitment of the Air force.”
In June 2022, an official of the US Department of State, Andrew Strike, in an e-mail response to an enquiry by Saturday PUNCH, said the helicopters would complement the 12 A-29 Tucano aircraft and reduce response time to support ground forces and bring a degree of durability and survivability that would allow the Air Force to engage at low altitudes and slow airspeeds while maintaining a standoff distance outside of the enemy weapons engagement zone.
Strike added, “This potential sale fulfils the Nigerian Armed Forces requirement for a close air support and quick mobility capability to defeat terrorist forces, protect humanitarian convoys, secure vital roads, decrease troop losses, defend vulnerable communities, and reduce the risk of civilian casualties.”
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