Nigerian Army Aviation Wing Kicks Off with New UH-1H Huey Helicopter

The Nigerian military has received its first batch of UH-1H Huey helicopters from Bell, marking the service’s initial step in forming the Air Wing of the Ground Forces to support ground operations.

The aircraft were formally handed over by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, during a brief ceremony at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Thursday, June 20, 2024.

The initial batch included two helicopters, designated with the numbers "NA 010" and "NA 011." The UH-1H helicopters are equipped with modern sensors and other technologies that enable reconnaissance and surveillance, search and rescue operations, logistics support, transportation, and medical evacuation. The Nigerian federal budget for 2023 allocated approximately $6.6 million to finance the purchase of three UH-1H helicopters and related equipment.

Designed as a light single-engine aircraft, the UH-1H can transport up to 11 troops in full gear, along with cargo. Additionally, it can provide fire support with armaments that include Hydra 70 unguided rockets and 7.62 mm machine guns. The door openings can be equipped with M60D or M134 Minigun machine guns.

Nigeria's plans to create an aviation wing were first announced in 2015. In recent years, the Nigerian Air Force has actively strengthened its helicopter fleet, including the recent delivery of new aircraft and Turkish T129 ATAK attack helicopters. By 2028, Bell Textron is expected to produce 12 AH-1Z Viper helicopters for Nigeria. In 2020, Nigeria also received a Mi-171 transport helicopter from Russia.