President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has overseen the addition of two state-of-the-art Agusta 109 Trekker helicopters to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fleet.
The formal induction ceremony, held at the Presidential Air Fleet Apron in Abuja, coincided with the celebration of NAF’s 61st anniversary.
Representing the President, Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima reiterated the administration’s dedication to modernizing the Armed Forces as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Hailing the NAF as a “beacon of operational excellence,” President Tinubu commended its contributions to regional stability in nations such as The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Mali.
“This ceremony marks another milestone in our resolve to strengthen the Armed Forces for a more secure Nigeria,” he declared.
The newly acquired helicopters join a growing list of recent military procurements, including Diamond-62 surveillance aircraft, T-129 ATAK helicopters, and King Air 360i platforms.
President Tinubu stressed the vital link between security and national development.
“Neither economic prosperity nor justice can thrive in the face of insecurity. A well-equipped military is key to defending our democracy and safeguarding our future,” he said.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, hailed the helicopters as a “significant leap” in fleet modernisation, citing their multi-role capability in joint operations, reconnaissance, close air support, and humanitarian missions.
“These platforms are game-changers in enhancing our operational reach and response time,” he stated.
The ceremony concluded with a symbolic flypast and inspection of the helicopters