The Federal Government has moved a step closer to acquiring 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters from the United States following the commencement of production of the aircraft for the Nigerian Air Force.
The milestone was marked by a beam-signing ceremony at the Bell Textron facility in Amarillo, Texas, where the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, led a delegation of Nigerian Air Force officials to inspect the production line.
According to the NAF, the ceremony represented an important step in the implementation of the Nigeria-United States Government defence cooperation programme and the Federal Government’s efforts to modernise the Armed Forces.
Bell Textron, in a statement, said the ceremony marked the start of production of the AH-1Z Viper helicopters being acquired for Nigeria under the Foreign Military Sales programme approved by the United States Government in 2024.
The company said the Nigerian delegation toured its Amarillo production facility and ceremonially signed the frame of the first Viper aircraft destined for the Nigerian Air Force.
Speaking at the ceremony, Aneke said the acquisition would strengthen the operational capabilities of the Nigerian military and enhance the country’s ability to respond to security threats.
“The acquisition of the AH-1Z Viper helicopters represents an important milestone in our continuing efforts to build a more capable, professional and mission-ready Nigerian Air Force,” the Chief of the Air Staff said.
Aneke said the programme was consistent with his command philosophy of maintaining a highly motivated and professional force capable of delivering decisive airpower effects in coordination with surface forces.
He also stressed that the capabilities being acquired must translate into improved operational effectiveness and contribute directly to the country’s national security objectives.
The Air Chief expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for what he described as his strategic leadership and continued support for strengthening Nigeria’s defence and security architecture.
He also acknowledged the cooperation of the United States Government, Bell Textron, Programme Management Air 276 and other stakeholders involved in the AH-1Z Viper programme.
“Sustained defence cooperation, technical collaboration and capability development remain essential to the successful implementation of the programme,” Aneke said.
Bell’s H-1 programme director, Scott Sims, also welcomed the Nigerian delegation, describing the ceremony as a significant production milestone.
“We are honoured to host the Nigerian Air Force and share this milestone in production for the AH-1Z,” Sims said.
The AH-1Z Viper is an attack helicopter designed for missions including close air support, armed escort and other combat operations.
Janes reported that the US Foreign Military Sales contract for the 12 helicopters was valued at about $455m, while the wider Viper programme, including associated equipment, weapons, training and support, was valued at approximately $997m. It also reported that production of the aircraft is expected to be completed in early 2029.
The NAF delegation also inspected the AH-1Z production line during the visit to Bell’s facility.
The development comes less than a week after the Nigerian Air Force announced the arrival of five other helicopters as part of the Federal Government’s broader airpower modernisation programme.
The five platforms comprise three AW-109 Trekker B helicopters manufactured by Leonardo Helicopters of Italy and two H-125 helicopters produced by Airbus Helicopters. The three AW-109s arrived in Lagos on September 15, while the two H-125s had been delivered earlier.
The three AW-109 Trekker Bs are part of a batch of 10 recently acquired by the Federal Government, with the remaining seven expected to be delivered before the end of 2026, according to the NAF.
Aneke said the newly acquired rotary-wing platforms would improve the Air Force’s flexibility and responsiveness in supporting ground troops and operations against terrorism, kidnapping and banditry.
The latest AH-1Z programme therefore represents another stage in the Federal Government’s ongoing effort to expand and modernise Nigeria’s military aviation capabilities, although the 12 Viper helicopters are still in production and have not yet been delivered to the Nigerian Air Force.
