Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, announced on Tuesday that the Federal Government has approved the purchase of 12 MD 530F Cayuse Attack Helicopters to enhance the Nigerian Army’s operational capabilities.
He claimed that the purchase of the attack helicopters was a part of continuous government attempts to improve Army aviation’s operational effectiveness in order to confront the nation’s ongoing security problems.
According to a statement by Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, the Army Chief made this disclosure at the Nigerian Army Aviation’s first seminar on aviation security awareness in Abuja.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the acquisition of the initial 12 MD 530F Cayuse Attack Helicopters that will actualize the operationalization of the Nigerian Army Aviation to effectively tackle security challenges bedevilling the country,” read the statement.
The purchase of the new attack helicopters is a component of the Federal Government’s continued efforts to strengthen Army Aviation’s operational capabilities so that it can respond to current and potential security challenges in a timely manner.
The COAS expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Federal Government for supporting the Nigerian Army Aviation’s aspirations and deciding to make history.
The Nigerian Army, according to Lagbaja, has made admirable strides in training pilots, aircraft engineers, technicians, and other ground support staff since 2014.
He mentioned how the Nigerian Air Force and international organisations had worked together so that the Army might learn from them.
“The Nigerian Army understands the highly technical nature of the aviation business and the need to be appropriately mentored,” said Lagbaja. “Its international collaborations and submission of its nascent aviation outfit to the mentoring of the Nigerian Air Force, as the Service does not have the luxury of making mistakes when it can learn from other experienced aviation outfits.”
The COAS stated that the aviation branch of the Nigerian Army would support the ground forces.
According to Lagbaja, “the outfit is set up to improve the agility, responsiveness, and efficacy of the ground troops, while contributing to the overall operational success of joint and coalition forces, supporting those on the ground, and focusing on tactical and operational engagements, maintaining that the Air Force undertakes more complex tasks to achieve strategic effects.”
