President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inducted two state-of-the-art Agusta 109 Trekker helicopters into the Nigerian Air Force fleet today, as part of the NAF’s 61st anniversary celebrations.
President Senator Kashim Shettima reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to modernising the Armed Forces, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The President commended the NAF for its operational excellence, citing its significant contributions to regional stability in countries such as The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Mali.
“This ceremony marks another milestone in our resolve to strengthen the Armed Forces for a more secure Nigeria,” he declared.
President Tinubu has highlighted the crucial connection between security and national development as the country’s military welcomes newly acquired helicopters, adding to a recent surge in procurements that includes Diamond-62 surveillance aircraft, T-129 ATAK helicopters, and King Air 360i platforms.
“Neither economic prosperity nor justice can thrive in the face of insecurity. A well-equipped military is key to defending our democracy and safeguarding our future,” he said.
Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, Chief of the Air Staff, praised the helicopters as a major advancement in fleet modernisation, highlighting their versatility in joint operations, reconnaissance, close air support, and humanitarian missions.
“These platforms are game-changers in enhancing our operational reach and response time,” he stated.
The ceremony concluded with an inspection of the helicopters and a symbolic flypast.
