Nigerian Navy receives Three Agusta Westland 109 trekker helicopters

The Nigerian Navy has officially received three newly acquired Agusta Westland 109 Trekker Helicopters, delivered by the Ministry of Defence.

The handover took place during a brief ceremony on Tuesday at the Caverton Helicopters Limited (CHL) hangar facilities in Ikeja, Lagos, as confirmed by a statement from the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, on Wednesday in Abuja.

The three AW 109 Trekker Helicopters are equipped with a VIP configuration, featuring full leather interiors and a noise attenuation system, making them versatile for a variety of roles, including long-range transport and VIP transportation.

Adams-Aliu noted that the helicopters are specially designed with landing skids, which provide enhanced loading capacity compared to wheeled models.

They are also fitted with auxiliary fuel tanks, enabling them to operate for extended durations of up to 3 hours and 40 minutes, making them suitable for long-range flights.

The helicopters can also be retrofitted with specialized mission equipment for various operational needs.

ALSO READ : U.S. Military strikes Iranian-Allied Militias in Yemen and Syria

The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, who was present to receive the helicopters, expressed his gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his steadfast support of the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Navy in particular.

He also thanked the Minister of Defence and State for Defence for their roles in facilitating the acquisition, which will significantly enhance the Navy’s operational capabilities.

The handover ceremony was attended by key officials of the Nigerian Navy including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, and other high-ranking personnel from the Ministry.