The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is playing a key role in the ongoing war against the Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast of the country.
NAF Mi-24V/Mi-35P attack helicopters. Photo: Beegeagle’s Blog
A team of two helicopters patrol the Northern part of Borno state, Nigeria, to identify movements of the insurgents, on March 11, 2015. Photo: Beegeagle’s Blog
In the wake of the botched deal for Israeli AH-1 Cobra helicopters, the NAF seems to have have acquired armed Gazelle helicopters instead.
The force was spotted using Gazelle helicopters at a NAF facility in Lagos.
The supplier of these helicopters remains unclear but the upgrade and modernisation of a pair of Super Puma helicopters (NAF 565 and NAF 567) was completed at the facilities of Eurocopter Romania in 2012.
Puma helicopter, originally French, license-built and weaponised in Romania, is used by the NAF in the war against Boko Haram. Photo: Beegeagle’s Blog
A Nigerian soldier is seen standing in front of a Gazelle helicopter. Photo: Beegeagle’s Blog
They were put into storage in 1997 and thereafter refurbished, upgraded and returned to service in March 2012.
It is already known that the NAF has weaponised a few Super Puma helicopters which is a highly commendable step.
NAF 565, a Super Puma helicopter, built in 1997 and upgraded by Eurocopter Romania in 2012. Photo: Beegeagle’s Blog
A Mi-24 Hind attack helicopter of the Nigerian Air Force, acquired in August 2014. Photo: Beegeagle’s Blog
Men of the Nigerian special forces and a Super Puma helicopter at the frontlines in North East of Nigeria Photo: Beegeagle’s Blog
The Bell UH-1 Iroquois (unofficially Huey) military helicopter. Photo: Beegeagle’s Blog
G222 medium transport aircraft. Photo: Beegeagle’s Blog
F-7NI Chengdu fighters (AirGuard) at the frontlines of the war against Boko Haram. Photo: Beegeagle’s Blog
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