Nigerian Army Aviation has taken delivery of two American-built Bell UH-1 Huey helicopters (NA010 and NA 011) as the ramp-up of foundational assets continues.
NA 011 was until June registered as ZT-RAI in South Africa. It was manufactured in 1966 and served with the US Army until 1996, when it was delivered to Helinet Corp in California as N313CF. It was subsequently operated by Northwest Helicopters and Turbines LLC before being delivered to South Africa in 2015.
NA 010 was until June this year registered as ZT-RCS in South Africa – it was put up for sale earlier in the year. It was manufactured in 1968 and served with the US Army before entering the civilian market as N518CB. It was exported by Northwest Helicopters to South Africa in 2014. Northwest Helicopters has specialised in the refurbishment, repair, maintenance and overhaul of UH-1H helicopters for over 40 years.
The Nigerian Army (NA) is currently setting up its aviation branch, from modernized manned helicopters like the Cayuse Warrior Scout helicopter, Bell UH-1D utility helicopter, the fixed-wing aircraft like the MF-212 light aircraft, to fully autonomous platforms such as the Textron Aerosonde UAS, Ziyan UAS Blowfish thus, giving pilots greater standoff from enemy threats. Also, a newly formed UAV command will operate alongside the Nigerian Air Force Combat Reconnaissance Group (203 CRG) in Gombe state.
The Bell UH-1 Iroquois, commonly known as the “Huey,” is a multipurpose utility helicopter famous for its widespread use during the Vietnam War. Bell developed the helicopter in the mid-1950s and produced more than 16,000 units between 1955 and 1976, over 7,000 of which served in Vietnam. The aircraft were used primarily for troop and cargo transport, medical evacuations, and aerial attack.
The Huey was developed as the Bell Model 204 and incorporated lessons learned during the Korean War about helicopter operations. A larger Model 205 was introduced in 1961, more familiarly known as the UH-1D. Hueys have served with all branches of the U.S. military, as well as multiple U.S. government agencies and at least 48 foreign countries. Many Hueys are still in use today.
The helicopter features an impressive power, effective weaponry, and precision sensors. All included to carry out a variety of complex missions in. Whatever the task, the Huey is the ultimate workhorse. It features a seating capacity of 8 passengers, a maximum speed of 170knots, and a maximum range of 325 nautical miles under its own power.
The Nigerian Army Bell UH-1H Huey helicopters, were formally received by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja in a brief ceremony held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Thursday 20 June, 2024.
Receiving the aircrafts, General Lagbaja, noted that the renewed drive to establish an NA Aviation wing was conceived by the then-former COAS, Lieutenant General Kenneth Minimah (rtd), in 2014, with a three-phase ten-year implementation plan.
The COAS extolled former Chiefs of Army Staff, maintaining, that their tenacity and drive, along with the collective efforts of personnel and Nigerian Government’s political will, have been instrumental in realizing the fruition of NA Aviation.
Gen Lagbaja appreciated the various successive administrations for their support in training NA Pilots and Ground Crews as well as putting in place requisite structures.
The procurement of this Huey helicopter would help improve the operational capabilities of the Nigerian Army to curb the insecurity ravaging the country. The Nigerian Army blamed the lack of air power as the reason for the prolonged battle with the Boko Haram insurgents. The service also opined that it needs its own aerial domain capability to quickly wrap up the long-drawn military campaign.
The BELL UH-1H Helicopters are equipped with advanced sensors and enablers to conduct a range of missions, including reconnaissance, surveillance, rescue, logistics, transportation, and medical evacuation.
The NA Aviation already has efforts underway to help realize its vision for heliborne and autonomous operations in the air domain.
A $3.2 million investment for the construction of the first Army aviation hangar at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport in Minna, Niger State was allocated.
The new hangar is expected to house an impressive fleet of aerial assets, including 12 MD530 Cayuse Warrior series attack helicopters, 10 Bayrakter TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), 8 Magnus light attack aircraft, and the American-Built Bell UH-1 Huey Helicopters.
The hangar will also accommodate fully autonomous platforms like the Textron Aerosonde UAS and Ziyan UAS Blowfish, enhancing the pilots’ ability to operate at a safe distance from potential threats.
These platforms are crucial for the Army’s surveillance, reconnaissance, and patrol operations, providing a significant boost to the nation’s defense capabilities.
The Nigerian Army’s vision for a robust aerial domain capability has been in the works since 2020 when it announced plans to procure combat platforms, particularly attack helicopters, to support its troops in the northeastern theater.
Current Nigerian Army aviation capabilities include light transport and utility and unmanned systems in form of two Bell 412EP, three Eurocopter EC135 and a number of Textron Aerosonde MK4.7, Ziyan Blowfish UAS, and other DJI-type commercial-grade drones sourced from the civilian market.
The Nigerian Army has partnered with the French Army light aviation French Army Light Aviation (French: Aviation légère de l’armée de Terre, ALAT).
In 2021 the Adjutant General of California National Guard, Maj.-Gen. David Baldwin, pledged to support the Nigerian Army to actualise the establishment of its aviation unit. Baldwin made the pledge when he led his team on courtesy visit to Army Headquarters.
Earlier last year, the Nigerian Army signed a contract with HAL for Phase-II flying training on Chetak Helicopter for six officers of the newly formed Nigerian Army Aviation.
India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed a contract with the Nigerian Army to train six officers for basic helicopter flying training phase-I at the Rotary Wing Academy (RWA), Bengaluru.