The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has taken delivery of 2 Leonardo AW109E Power attack helicopters, which are currently being assembled for induction during the forthcoming 2019 NAF Day Celebration taking place in Abuja from 27-29 April 2019.

This was disclosed by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, today, 22 April 2019, in Maiduguri during a luncheon with troops of the Air Task Force (ATF) Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD) to mark the Easter Celebrations.

Abubakar first announced the acquisition of 4 helicopters last December with the second pair likely to be ordered when funds become available.

The new Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) aircraft will joined a fleet of five delivered in 2010 with one them lost in an accident in 2017. A sixth AW109E is used in VIP configuration.

The Nigerian navy also operates six AW109E.