Nigeria receives green light for AH-1Z attack helicopter deal
Nigeria has signed on to buy AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters manufactured by Bell. (Photo: USMC)
Nigeria has been approved by the US to buy AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters.
The US State Department has approved an estimated $997 million order from Nigeria for Bell AH-1Z attack helicopters.
The West African country intends on buying 12 of the aircraft and a variety of related equipment and weapons including 28 General Electric T-700 engines and 2000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) guidance kits.
Other items listed by the US State Department in a 14 April notice include Night Vision Cueing Display (NVCD) systems; communication equipment; electronic warfare systems; AN/AVS-9 Aviator’s Night Vision Imaging Systems; M197 20mm machine guns and Target Sight Systems (TSS).
'This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a strategic partner in Sub-Saharan Africa,' noted the US State Department.
'The proposed sale will better equip Nigeria to contribute to shared security objectives, promote regional stability and build interoperability with the U.S. and other Western partners. This sale will be a major contribution to U.S. and Nigerian security goals. Nigeria will have no difficulty absorbing the equipment and services into its armed forces.'
Production of the AH-1Z for the Czech Republic started in February 2022 as part of a H-1 mixed fleet order, with the manufacturer having previously secured export orders from Bahrain and Pakistan.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Defence Helicopter
-
![Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine]()
Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine
Germany has committed to sending Ukraine six of its 21 retiring WS-61 Westland Sea King multirole, amphibious helicopters.
-
![Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook]()
Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook
Boeing has clinched a major contract modification to further its backing of the US Special Operations Command’s MH-47G Chinook aircraft modernisation effort.
-
![Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut]()
Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut
Two KAI helicopters, the KUH-1E utility helicopter and the Light Attack Helicopter (LAH), have taken centre stage at the Dubai Airshow 2023.
-
![Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter]()
Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter
The Italian Navy now boasts a fleet of 56 NH90 helicopters comprising 46 SH-90As and 10 MH-90As.
-
![Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters]()
Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters
The Argentinian Air Force (FAA) and the Argentinian Naval Aviation Command (COAN) are looking for options to upgrade their helicopter fleets.
-
![DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest]()
DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest
Lockheed Martin promises a boost to the British job market and export opportunities, while strengthening ties with Poland and positioning the UK for a future in rotorcraft technology in the event of a New Medium Helicopter competition triumph.
