The Senate Committee Chairman on Air Force (Ag), Senator Austin Akobundu of Abia Central, Friday, May 16, joined President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, to induct two brand-new AgustaWestland AW109S Trekker helicopters into the Nigerian Air Force fleet in what is considered a significant boost to Nigeria’s air power capabilities.
The event which took place at the Presidential Air Fleet Apron of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, was part of a week-long activities slated to mark the 61st anniversary celebrations of the Nigerian Air Force with the theme, “Optimising Civil-Military Relations in a Joint Operational Environment for Enhanced Air Operations.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who was represented at the event by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, described the induction ceremony as a ‘statement of intent.’
“This induction ceremony is not merely about adding new helicopters to our fleet; it is a strategic statement of intent, a demonstration of our collective resolve to defend our nation and reinforce Nigeria’s leadership in Africa,” he said.
The AW109S Trekker is a state-of-the-art, twin-engine helicopter renowned for its speed, range, and versatility. Designed for operations such as medical evacuation, air surveillance, VIP transport, and rapid troop deployment, the aircraft represents a significant enhancement to Nigeria’s aviation and security capabilities.
Senator Austin Akobundu as the Senate Committee Chairman on Air Force (Ag), is committed to continue helping the Nigerian Air Force achieve optimum performance for the benefit of all Nigerians through a safe and secure airspace by engaging in robust collaboration with the relevant political and military authorities.
