NAF Completes Acceptance Test for Three New AW109 Trekker Helicopters
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has successfully completed the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) for three additional AW109 Trekker Type B helicopters in Italy.
According to the service, this marks another milestone in its ongoing fleet modernization programme aimed at strengthening the country’s air power and counter-terrorism capabilities.
The acceptance exercise, conducted between June 29 and July 3, 2026, at the Leonardo Helicopters facility in Vergiate, Italy, was carried out by a delegation comprising officials of the Nigerian Air Force and the Ministry of Defence.
NAF said the exercise involved comprehensive technical inspections and flight evaluations to confirm that the helicopters met contractual specifications and operational requirements before their delivery to Nigeria.
The Service said the successful completion of the acceptance test reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening the operational readiness of the Armed Forces to tackle evolving security challenges across the country.
It added that the exercise also demonstrated steady progress in the Nigerian Air Force’s fleet modernisation programme, with emphasis on inducting reliable and mission-ready platforms into service.
Read Also:
Upon their arrival and induction into the NAF inventory, the three AW109 Trekker Type B helicopters are expected to enhance the Service’s capabilities in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), close air support, armed escort missions, combat search and rescue, as well as joint air operations in support of ground troops.
The helicopters are also expected to improve the Air Force’s responsiveness and operational effectiveness in ongoing counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency and anti-banditry operations across various theatres nationwide.
Commenting on the development, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, said the evolving nature of security threats requires agile, technologically advanced and mission-ready air capabilities.
“The dynamic nature of contemporary security threats demands agile, technologically advanced and mission-ready air capabilities. 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,” he said.
Aneke reaffirmed the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to building a highly professional, motivated and mission-ready force capable of supporting national security objectives and protecting the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians.
The Air Force also attributed the progress in its modernisation programme to the continued support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the acquisition of new air assets forms part of broader efforts to strengthen the operational capabilities of the Armed Forces in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.
The AW109 Trekker Type B helicopters are expected to be delivered to Nigeria in the coming months before being inducted into operational service.
By PRNigeria
