12 Viper Helicopters to Boost NAF’s Precision Strike Capability – Expert

By Lengnan  Tobias

A defence expert, retired Air Vice Marshal Olatokunbo Adesanya, says the 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters contracted for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) will significantly improve its close air support and precision-strike capabilities.

Adesanya, a former NAF Director of Public Relations and Defence Attaché to Moscow, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

He described the AH-1Z Viper as a specialised attack helicopter designed for close air support, armed escort, reconnaissance and precision strikes.

According to him, the helicopters have considerable potential to address Nigeria’s security challenges, particularly operations against small and mobile targets requiring accurate engagement.

Adesanya, however, clarified that the 12 helicopters had only been contracted and were not yet part of the NAF operational fleet.

He said production of the first Nigerian Viper reportedly began in September 2026, with completion expected in 2029.

“Nevertheless, without doubt, the AH-1Z acquisition represents a major future enhancement of Nigeria’s close-air-support and precision-strike capability.

“Its operational impact, however, will depend on delivery, training, maintenance, intelligence, targeting and integration with ground forces,” he said.

The expert stressed that the helicopters’ effectiveness would depend not only on their advanced capabilities but also on how well they were integrated into the air force’s broader operational framework.

The Federal Government approved the acquisition as part of efforts to modernise the NAF fleet and strengthen operations against terrorism, banditry and other security threats.