President Bola Tinubu has openly acknowledged that Nigeria’s long-awaited U.S.-made attack helicopters will not arrive overnight, admitting that delivery timelines will stretch well into the decade.
The helicopters in question — 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters — are currently being manufactured by Bell Textron for the Nigerian Air Force under an existing contract. Official delivery schedules indicate that the full fleet will only be completed by 2028.
Although the United States has recently pledged to expedite the process, clarity remains elusive. Neither Washington nor the manufacturer has publicly detailed how the acceleration would be achieved, leaving questions over whether production slots, export approvals, or logistics would be adjusted.
Faced with urgent security demands at home, Nigeria is not waiting idly.
In a strategic interim move, Abuja has approached Turkey to help bridge the capability gap while the Vipers remain on the production line. Turkey has emerged in recent years as a key global supplier of combat-proven aerial platforms, particularly to countries seeking faster delivery timelines and fewer procurement bottlenecks.
Security analysts say the move reflects a growing pragmatism in Nigeria’s defence planning — balancing long-term partnerships with immediate operational needs.
As insurgency, banditry, and transnational threats persist, the message from the Presidency is clear: Nigeria cannot afford to wait for 2028 to secure its skies.
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