On Thursday, February 26, the Nigerian Air Force confirmed that the United States will move forward with the delivery of 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters to equip the service, within the framework of bilateral defense cooperation between the two countries. The U.S. government highlighted the level of preparedness of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ahead of the incorporation of these aircraft, as well as the readiness of the facilities designated for their operation and sustainment.
This recognition was conveyed during a three-day high-level meeting between a U.S. government delegation from the PMA-276 program, led by Robert Galan, and NAF authorities at the Air Force Headquarters in Abuja. The discussions focused on the comprehensive Program and Support Plan designed to ensure the integration, sustainment, and operational effectiveness of the future helicopter fleet.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Abdullahi, who reaffirmed the institutional commitment to aligning operational, technical, and logistical requirements in order to guarantee the aircraft’s immediate availability upon delivery. According to the information released, planning includes measures to ensure that the helicopters can enter service without delay once the transfer process is completed.
The program follows the award, in March 2024, of a $455 million contract by the U.S. Navy to manufacturer Bell Textron for the production and transfer of 12 AH-1Z Viper helicopters destined for Nigeria’s Armed Forces. The agreement includes associated engineering work, program management, logistics support, and non-recurring engineering related to obsolescence. Funds committed under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) framework amount to $82,345,771 and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
Manufacturing activities are taking place in Fort Worth and Amarillo, Texas, and are scheduled to be completed in 2028. Previously, in January 2024, the U.S. government had indirectly confirmed the sale through procurement notices for services and equipment associated with these aircraft, foreshadowing the program’s formalization.
The acquisition of the AH-1Z Vipers is part of a broader modernization process within Nigeria’s Armed Forces, which in recent years have advanced in procuring various weapons systems from both Western and non-Western suppliers. In the field of attack and armed reconnaissance helicopters, the country had already acquired T129 ATAK units from Turkey and, in September 2023, signed a contract with MD Helicopters for the purchase of twelve MD 530F Cayuse Warrior Plus aircraft for the Nigerian Army Aviation Corps, with deliveries scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of that year.
Cover image for illustrative purposes.
You may also like: For $346 Million, U.S. Authorizes Sale of MK-82 Bombs, Paveway II Kits and APKWS II for Nigeria’s A-29 Fleet
