New helicopters for Nigeria Armed Forces
On 28 September 2023, MD Helicopters (MDH) announced that a contract was signed with the Nigerian government for the delivery of twelve MD530F Cayuse Warrior Plus scout/attack helicopters.
The new helicopters will be operated by the Nigerian Army Aviation to tackle security challenges in the country. According to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Cayuse Warrior Plus would operationalise the army aviation unit, which was set up to improve ground troops’ agility, responsiveness, and efficacy during operations.
The contract includes a complete ILS package, spares, pilot and maintainer training, and a simulator. Delivery of the MD530Fs is scheduled to start in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Next to the Cayuse Warrior Plus scout/attack helicopters, the acquiring of the Bell AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter is still going on. Going back to April 2022, the US State Department made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Government of Nigeria of twelve AH-1Z Attack helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of USD 997 million. Regarding the armament, the proposed sale includes 2.000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) guidance sections along with the M197 20mm machine gun. This definitely means that the helicopter will not be equipped with AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank missiles.
The sale of the AH-1Z Viper has most probably been put on hold as US lawmakers pushed the Biden administration to rethink US relations with Nigeria amid concerns that the previous president Muhammadu Buhari was drifting toward authoritarianism as Nigeria is besieged by security challenges. It seems that the current president, Bola Tinubu, has secured the US authorities of a change in policy.
On 28 September 2023 Northrop Grumman Systems was awarded of USD 72 million contract for the production and delivery of Radar Warning Receiver/Electronic Warfare Management Systems (RWR/EWMS) and battery handle assemblies in support of the MV-22B, AH-1Z, UH-1Y, and CH-53K aircraft. Part of this contract, and covered by FMS funds, is destined for the government of Nigeria in support of the AH-1Z Viper. The overall contract is expected to be completed in April 2027. No further details have been revealed when Bell Helicopters will start the production of the Nigerian Vipers.
Credit photo (just illustrative): MD Helicopters (MDH)