The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the purchase of 12 attack helicopters for the Nigerian Army (NA). The COAS made this disclosure on Tuesday during the opening of the maiden Nigerian Army Aviation Seminar, adding that the 12 MD 530F Cayuse attack helicopters would improve the operations of the Nigerian Army aviation unit as has already been done in countries like the United States, Pakistan, Egypt and others.
He said, “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.”
