The Nigerian Navy has expanded its operational capabilities with the addition of three newly acquired Agusta Westland (AW) 109 Trekker helicopters, delivered by the Ministry of Defence. The handover ceremony took place on Tuesday at Caverton Helicopters Limited’s (CHL) facility in Ikeja, Lagos, and was attended by key defense officials.
In a statement, Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, Director of Naval Information, described the new helicopters as multi-functional assets designed for both VIP and mission-specific configurations. “These helicopters feature purpose-built VIP configurations with full leather seating and noise attenuation systems to enhance passenger comfort,” he stated. Equipped with landing skids, the AW 109 helicopters offer improved loading capacity over traditional wheeled models, making them more versatile for various Navy operations.
Highlighting their endurance, Adams-Aliu noted, “The helicopters are equipped with auxiliary tanks, allowing for an extended flight range of up to three hours and forty minutes.” This makes the new aircraft suitable for long-range transport missions, with the flexibility to be retrofitted with specialized mission equipment as operational needs evolve.
During the event, Chief of Naval Staff Emmanuel Ogalla expressed his appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support in strengthening the Nigerian armed forces. Ogalla also extended his gratitude to Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru and Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle, acknowledging their roles in facilitating the acquisition of the helicopters.
These new helicopters will enhance the Nigerian Navy’s strategic response capabilities, enabling longer and more diverse missions critical to Nigeria’s national security and maritime operations.
