The Nigerian Navy has expanded its air fleet with the delivery of three advanced Agusta Westland 109 Trekker helicopters, aimed at enhancing its operational capabilities across various missions.
These new helicopters, acquired by the Ministry of Defence, were officially handed over to the Navy in a formal ceremony on November 12, held in Ikeja, Lagos.
The Director of Naval Information, Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, confirmed the arrival of the helicopters in an official statement on Wednesday. “The Ministry of Defence handed over three Agusta Westland 109 Trekker helicopters to the Nigerian Navy,” stated Adams-Aliu.
Present at the ceremony were key Navy personnel, including the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, and other high-ranking officers who attended to welcome the new additions.
During the handover, Vice Admiral Ogalla extended his appreciation to Defence Ministers Abubakar Badaru and Bello Matawelle for their role in securing these helicopters. He also expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his consistent support toward strengthening the nation’s Armed Forces, particularly the Navy.
Adams-Aliu said, “The Ministry of Defence handed over three Agusta Westland 109 Trekker helicopters to the Nigerian Navy.
“The brief handover ceremony took place at Ikeja, Lagos. The Chief of the Naval Staff, accompanied by other senior officers, was present to receive the newly acquired helicopters.”
The new helicopters bring enhanced capabilities to the Navy’s operations. Outfitted for VIP use, they feature leather interiors and noise-reduction technology, making them suitable for high-level transportation.
Commodore Adams-Aliu explained that the helicopters come with landing skids, which improve loading capacity over traditional wheeled options, and are equipped with auxiliary tanks that allow up to 3 hours and 40 minutes of flight endurance.
This extended range makes them ideal for a variety of long-distance missions, including air reconnaissance, search and rescue, medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), and other essential duties.
These aircraft can also be retrofitted with specialized mission equipment, expanding their versatility in various military tasks. With this acquisition, the Navy aims to strengthen its operational reach and respond more effectively to security challenges in the region.
