Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has revealed that the Federal Government has approved the purchase of 12 MD 530F Cayuse Attack Helicopters to improve the operational capabilities of the Nigerian Army.
According to a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. -Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu said the Army Chief disclosed this yesterday, at the Nigerian Army Aviation maiden seminar on ‘Aviation Security Awareness’ in Abuja.
He said the procurement of the attack helicopters was part of the ongoing efforts of the government to strengthen the operational efficiency of Army aviation to combat the insecurity bedevilling the country.
The statement read in part: “The Federal Government of Nigeria in support of the operationalisation of Nigerian Army Aviation has approved the acquisition of the initial 12 MD 530F Cayuse Attack Helicopters that will actualise the operationalisation of the Nigerian Army aviation, to effectively tackle security challenges bedevilling the country.
The COAS expressed gratitude to the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for buying into the aspiration of the Nigerian Army Aviation and committing itself to making history.
Lagbaja disclosed that since 2014, the Nigerian Army has made commendable progress in training pilots, aircraft engineers, technicians, and other ground support crews, noting that the Army had collaborated with international organisations as well as the Nigerian Air Force to learn from them.
