Nigeria To Buy 12 US Viper Attack Helicopters

Wednesday September 30, 2026

By SituationREPORT

Nigeria is moving ahead with the acquisition of 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters from the United States as Abuja and Washington deepen defence cooperation amid persistent security challenges across the country.

The US Mission in Nigeria said on Tuesday that the planned acquisition demonstrated the growing security partnership between both countries.

“U.S.-Nigeria security cooperation continues to advance our shared efforts to strengthen regional security,” the mission said in a post on X.

“The planned acquisition of 12 AH-1Z Viper helicopters underscores both countries’ commitment to building Nigeria’s defense capabilities and addressing current and emerging threats together.”

The development follows a beam signing ceremony at Bell Textron’s facility in Amarillo, Texas, where the Chief of the Air Staff, Sunday Aneke, led a delegation of the Nigerian Air Force.

The ceremony marked a major step in the implementation of the Nigeria-US defence cooperation programme and Nigeria’s efforts to modernise its armed forces, according to the Nigerian Air Force.