The Nigerian Navy has taken delivery of a new AW139 from Italy’s Leonardo Helicopters, after the aircraft was ordered in 2016.
The arrival of the aircraft (registration 312) was announced by the Nigerian Navy last week. Rear Admiral Ifeola Mohammed, Chief of Policy and Plans of the Nigerian Navy, said during a press conference that the Navy’s new AW139 is currently being inducted.
The helicopters will be operated by the Nigerian Navy in the fight against maritime crimes.
The Nigerian Navy previously took over an AW139 from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). This was handed over in September 2018 after being acquired in 2007. The aircraft was seen in a hangar along with the new AW139 last week in a partially disassembled state.
The additional equipment comes as the Nigerian Navy faces a resurgence in piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
As at May 20, there were nine pirate attacks of which only two were successful and seven unsuccessful.
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