Nigerian Air Force has said no fewer than 26 of its personnel have landed in Turkey for training on the usage and maintenance of T129 ATAK helicopters, Leadership Reports.
The Nigerian government last year procured six T129 helicopters produced by the Turkish Aerospace Industry for counter-terrorism operations in the country.
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The T129 ATAK is a twin-engine, tandem-seat, multi-role, all-weather attack helicopter.
The aircraft is among the platforms expected to be delivered to NAF before the end of the first quarter of 2023.
In a terse message on Whatsapp on Tuesday, the spokesperson for the service, Air Commodore Ayodele Famuyiwa, said the 26 personnel comprise pilots and maintenance personnel.
It reads, “First batch of Nigerian Air Force pilots and maintenance personnel to train on the T-129 ATAK Helicopter under procurement from the Turkish Aerospace Industry arrived in Ankara. They are 26 in number. “
Recall that the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, had in 2022 hinted that the Nigerian Air Force would take delivery of more fighter jets and helicopters to boost the fight against terrorism.
Amao announced that among the platforms to be purchased are 2 CASA-295 military transport aircraft, 2 Beechcraft King Air 360, 4 Diamond DA-62 surveillance aircraft, 3 Wing Loong II UCAV, and 6 T-129 ATAK helicopters.