U.S. hails NAF over AH-1Z readiness, deepens defence ties

The United States Government has commended the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for its strong state of preparedness ahead of the delivery of AH-1Z attack helicopters to Nigeria.

The commendation followed a three-day high-level engagement between a U.S. government delegation from PMA-276, led by Robert Galan, and senior NAF officials in Abuja.

This is contained in a statement by the Director Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, on Thursday in Abuja.

Ejodame said the discussions centred on a comprehensive Programme and Support Plan aimed at ensuring seamless integration, sustainment and operational effectiveness of the incoming helicopter fleet.

He said the Chief of Policy and Plans, NAF, AVM Abubakar Abdullah, represented Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, at the engagement.

Ejodame said that Abdullahi reaffirmed the NAF’s commitment to aligning all operational, technical and logistics requirements to guarantee immediate combat readiness upon delivery of the aircraft.

He said that the service had taken deliberate steps to prepare infrastructure and personnel for the successful induction of the AH-1Z platforms.

According to him, the engagement highlights the growing strength of Nigeria–United States defence cooperation anchored on mutual trust and shared security objectives.

“The U.S. commendation is seen as a boost to the NAF’s ongoing modernisation drive and its efforts to enhance airpower capability in support of national security.

“The collaboration is expected to reinforce Nigeria’s security architecture and contribute to wider national stability,” he said.