Nigerian Air Force Puts Its First Two T129 ATAK Attack Helicopters Into Service
On February 6, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) put into service the first two T129 ATAK Attack Helicopters procured from Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) at a ceremony held at the NAF Base in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State. At the ceremony commemorating the entry into service of the new helicopters, the first King Air 360ER aircraft ordered by Nigeria from the US-based Beechcraft company was also officially put into service. Many high-ranking officials, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Minister of Information and Guidance Alhaji Mohammed, Turkey’s Ambassador to Abuja Hidayet Bayraktar, and Nigerian Army Commander Taoreed Lagbaja, attended the ceremony, which marked an important milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to develop its air force against current security challenges.
Speaking at the ceremony through Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed confidence that the deployment of the newly acquired platforms will significantly improve the NAF’s combat efficiency in addressing contemporary security challenges both domestically and in the West African region. He then advocated for operational discipline and the development of a solid maintenance culture in order to maximize the benefits derived from the deployment of new equipment. Later in the speech, President Tinubu expressed pride in the NAF’s status as a dependable regional power and emphasized his administration’s commitment to its support.
Dr. Badaru Abubakar, Nigerian Minister of Defense, emphasized in his speech the importance of adhering to maintenance schedules and implementing sound safety practices to ensure the aircraft’s long-term serviceability and maximum benefit to the country. He emphasized the pursuit of peace, stability, and rapid development, and urged NAF personnel to align their individual and collective actions with the President’s vision.
Following the ceremony, the first two T129 ATAK Attack Helicopters were assigned to the Nigerian Air Force’s 115th Special Operations Group in Port Harcourt. Nigerian Air Forces will receive four more T129 ATAK Attack Helicopters from Turkish Aerospace Industries under the terms of a contract first announced in July 2022. The second batch of T129 ATAK deliveries, consisting of two units, are scheduled to arrive in Nigeria in the second quarter of 2024, followed by the final batch in the fourth quarter of 2024. Nigeria may also increase the number of T129 ATAK orders in the future.
These attack helicopters procured from Turkey will be used against terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP (Islamic State-West Africa Province), which Nigeria has been fighting since the early 2000s. Nigeria had previously strengthened its air force by purchasing equipment from various countries. These include Bayraktar TB2, STM TOGAN, and ASİSGUARD SONGAR unmanned aerial vehicles from Turkey; A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft, AH-1Z attack helicopter, and MD 530F Cayuse Warrior Plus reconnaissance/attack helicopter from the US; Wing Loong II unmanned aerial vehicle from China; F-17 Thunder fighter jets from Pakistan; and transport, surveillance, and training aircraft from various European companies.
According to Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, Commander of the Nigerian Air Force, the NAF will induct 46 new aircraft of various types over the next 18 months to combat terrorism and other threats facing the country.