The Nigerian Navy has received three Agusta Westland 109 Trekker helicopters from the Ministry of Defence, enhancing its operational capabilities in reconnaissance, search and rescue, and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC). The handover took place in Ikeja, Lagos, on November 12, 2024, in a ceremony attended by senior naval officials, including Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla.
Director of Naval Information, Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, confirmed the delivery and expressed the Navy’s appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his continued support of the Armed Forces, as well as to Defence Ministers Abubakar Badaru and Bello Matawalle for facilitating the acquisition.
The AW 109 Trekker helicopters are fitted with VIP configurations, leather interiors, noise attenuation systems, and landing skids for improved loading capacity. Equipped with auxiliary fuel tanks, they offer an extended flight endurance of up to 3 hours and 40 minutes, suitable for long-range missions. Additionally, the helicopters can be retrofitted for specific military operations, reinforcing the Navy’s aerial capabilities in critical missions.
