In June of 2025, a high-level Nigerian delegation led by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, visited the United States as part of the Program Management Review (PMR) related to the future acquisition of AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters by the Nigerian Air Force.
In April of 2022, the US government approved the sale of twelve Bell AH-1Z Viper rotorcraft to Nigeria. The proposed contract, valued at nearly one billion USD at the time, included the helicopters, twenty-eight T-700 GE 401C engines, armament (including guided weapons), targeting and night vision equipment, as well as training and logistics support. In December of the following year, the deal was expanded to include thirty-two H-1 mission computers for the AH-1Z.
According to official information released in March of 2024, the Nigerian Air Force was initially expected to receive the Viper helicopters by July of 2028. However, in view of the deteriorating political and military situation in the region, as well as the condition of the country’s current Mi-24 fleet, the Nigerian authorities began pressing for an accelerated delivery of the AH-1Z rotorcraft.
During his visit to the United States, the Nigerian Air Marshal emphasised the importance of purchasing the new Viper attack helicopters was critical to enhance the country’s counter-terrorism and internal security capabilities.
The strategic meeting between the Nigerian delegation and representatives of the U.S. government and Bell Textron took place between 9th and 13th June 2025. As part of the PMR tour, the Nigerian guests visited Marine Aircraft Group 39 (MAG-39) at Camp Pendleton, California, and its AH-1Z operational and maintenance units – Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367 and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 39.
The tour gave members of the US Marine Corps and the Nigerian Air Force an opportunity to discuss the roles and capabilities of the Viper. MAG-39 personnel demonstrated the features of the H-1 rotorcraft platform to the Nigerian delegation, as well as showcased the base facilities including maintenance shops and warehouses.
Currently, the Nigerian Air Force operates around fifteen Mil Mi-24 attack helicopters. The Soviet-made rotorcraft were for the first time acquired in the late 1970s. Starting in the early 2000s, Nigeria gradually renewed its Mi-24 fleet by making additional purchases from Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine.
The Nigerian attack helicopters have played a key role in supporting internal operations, particularly in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency. However, airworthiness of the Mi-24 fleet has steadily declined, largely due to poor maintenance and a lack of spare parts.
At the beginning of the 2020s, the Nigerian authorities launched negotiations with several foreign partners to address the situation and strengthen the operational capabilities of the Nigerian Air Force through the purchase of new aircraft.
In addition to the AH-1Z contract, Nigeria’s most recent acquisitions include six T129 Atak rotorcraft from Turkey (with an option for another six), twenty-four Leonardo M-346 attack and training jets from Italy, and ten Leonardo AW109S Trekker helicopters. According to official statements, the Nigerian Air Force is expected to receive up to one hundred new aircraft by the end of the decade.
The sale of AH-1Z Vipers to Nigeria is part of the US Marine Corps H-1 Light/Attack Helicopter Program Office (PMA-276), which manages procurement, development, support, deployment, and disposal of the Marine Corps’ rotary-wing close air support, anti-armour, armed escort, reconnaissance, and fire support systems.
Cover photo: US Marines with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 367, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and Nigerian Air Force Members, pose for a photo during a tour at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California, 12 June 2025 (US Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Emeline Schirmer).
All photos © U.S. Department of Defence (DoD). DoD information materials were used, in compliance with Public Domain licence. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
