The Chief of Army Staff has confirmed that the Nigerian Army will soon have 12 new attack helicopters thanks to President Bola Tinubu’s approval of the payment for those helicopters.
This information was disseminated on Tuesday in Abuja by Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, who serves as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS). The seminar is the first of its kind for the Nigerian Army.
According to him, the Nigerian army aviation unit would become fully operational once it receives its 12 MD 530F Cayuse attack helicopters. This unit was established to increase the ground forces’ agility, responsiveness, and overall effectiveness during operations.
The Chief of Army Staff went on to say that this will also contribute to the overall successful operation of joint and coalition troops.
Lagbaja explained that army aviation was often distinct from a country’s specialised air force, but that army aviation units were typically armed with helicopters and light support fixed-wing aircraft.
He expressed his gratitude to the president for supporting the goal of the Nigerian army to establish a fully-functioning air unit, which would provide assistance to the ground forces while they focused on the strategic and operational aspects of their missions.
In his opinion, the experiences of countries such as the United States of America, Pakistan, Colombia, Egypt, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda are illustrative of how to go in this field.
“The army aviation arms of these countries have shown effectiveness in countering contemporary security threats and providing vital support to ground forces.
“In view of the need to realize this, and in its bid to appropriately respond to contemporary and emerging security threats, the Nigerian Army resuscitated its aviation aspiration in 2014.
“I am happy to inform this gathering that the Nigerian army is willing to learn from the army aviation journeys of the countries mentioned earlier.
“Our willingness to learn from them is to adapt their best practices to suit our unique operational environment and avoid their mistakes.
“I can proudly report that since 2014, the Nigerian Army has made commendable progress in training pilots, aircraft engineers, technicians, and other ground support crew,” he said.
According to the Chief of Army Staff, the aviation unit had been turned over to the Nigerian Air Force for the purpose of receiving the appropriate training.
Lagbaja stated that the purpose of the seminar was to examine possible issues that the unit may face in the future and to suggest creative answers.
“Therefore, this seminar is a platform for us to deliberate on critical issues and share invaluable insights regarding the future of the Nigerian army aviation, even before that future comes upon us.
“Ideas generated from our deliberations are expected to help strengthen the capabilities through capacity building, infrastructure development and guide further acquisition of cutting-edge platforms and technologies,” he added.
Musa Alkali, the acting coordinator of the Nigerian Army Aviation, stated that the unit would play a crucial role in supporting ground operations and resolving the present security concerns that are facing the nation.
Alkali stated that the reestablishment of army aviation was a significant step towards improving the operational reach and effectiveness of the Nigerian military in its fight against current threats to Nigeria’s sovereignty and national security.
He went on to say that the seminar was important since it contributed to the ongoing efforts to make the aviation section operational.