The Nigerian Navy has added three brand new helicopters to its fleets to boost its operations Air Reconnaissance, Search and Rescue, Air Insertion as well as medical evacuation (MEDEVAC).
In the handing over ceremony that took place on Tuesday, 12th November 2024, the Ministry of Defence (MOD), handed over three Agusta Westland (AW) 109 Trekker Helicopters to the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla at the Caverton Helicopters Limited (CHL) hangar facilities in Ikeja, Lagos.
It was gathered that the AW 109 Helicopter has a purpose-built VIP configuration with a full leather and noise attenuation system and it is designed with a landing skid which gives it a better loading capacity compared to wheeled helicopters.
Additionally, the helicopter is designed with auxiliary tanks which gives it extended endurance of up to 3hrs 40mins. Thus, the helicopter could be used for long-range transport flights. The helicopters could also be retrofitted with purpose-built mission equipment.
The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla accompanied by other senior officers was present to receive the newly acquired Helicopters.
Others included the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, Director Navy Affairs (MOD), Dr. Raji Isiaka Ogunshola, the President Caverton Group, Chief Remi Makanjuola and the Managing Director Caverton, Group Captain Bello (rtd).
The CNS thanked the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unflinching support to the Armed Forces in general and the NN in particular.
He also thanked the Minister of Defence and Minister of State for Defence for facilitating the acquisition of the helicopters to boost NN operations.
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