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By John Ogunsemore
The Ministry of Defence on Tuesday handed over three Agusta Westland (AW109) Trekker Helicopters to the Nigerian Navy.
In a Wednesday statement, the Navy said the brief hand over ceremony was done at the Caverton Helicopters Limited (CHL) hangar facilities in Ikeja, Lagos.
“The AW 109 Helicopter has a purpose-built VIP configuration with full leather and noise attenuation system.
“Furthermore, the helicopter is designed with 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 3hrs40mins. Thus, the helicopter could be used for long range transport flights.
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“The helicopters could also be retrofitted with purpose built mission equipment,” the statement reads.
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.
The Naval Chief was quoted as thanking the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu for his unflinching support to the Armed Forces in general and the Navy in particular.
He also expressed gratitude to both the Minister of Defence and the Minister of State for Defence for facilitating the acquisition of the helicopters to boost Naval operations such as Air Recce, Search and Rescue, Air Insertion and MEDEVAC.
Also present at the hand-over ceremony were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Dr Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, Director Navy Affairs of the ministry, Dr Raji Isiaka Ogunshola, the President Caverton Group, Chief Remi Makanjuola and the Managing Director Caverton, Group Captain Bello (rtd).
