In a significant move to bolster Nigeria's defense capabilities, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, have embarked on a visit to Turkey with the primary objective of expediting the delivery of T-129 ATAK helicopters to the Nigerian Air Force.
The Nigerian Air Force has been anticipating the arrival of these helicopters, with the Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, announcing that two of the six units of T-129 ATAK helicopters, procured by the Federal Government from the Turkish Aerospace Industry, are slated for delivery in the coming weeks. The remaining four helicopters are expected to be in Nigeria before the end of the second quarter of 2024.
During their visit, Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, held discussions with his Turkish counterpart, Lt. Gen. Yasar Guler (retd.), focusing on critical bilateral relations and defense cooperation between the two countries.
The Turkish defence minister pledged full support to Nigeria, promising to provide the necessary backing from the Turkish military and defense companies to expedite the fight against terrorism and other criminal challenges in Nigeria.
Badaru and Abubakar also visited selected Turkish companies, including Turkish Aerospace Industries, MKE, Aselsan, and Roketsan, with an eye on collaboration. These firms are renowned globally for their production of quality defense and military equipment. The Minister of Defence advocated for increased synergy between these companies and Nigeria, emphasizing the transfer of defense technology to Nigeria.
In addition to enhancing air defense capabilities, Nigeria's naval power is set to receive a boost with the forthcoming arrival of naval vessels. The Nigerian Navy had previously contracted Dearsan Shipyard, Turkey, for the construction of two units of 76m HE OPV. The keel ceremony for these vessels took place on September 16, 2022, signifying the commencement of their construction. The recent launching ceremony was conducted on October 26, 2023, at the Dearsan Shipyard, Tuzla, Istanbul, Turkey.
The installation of the vessel is expected to be completed between January and May 2024, with plans for harbor acceptance tests in July and August 2024. The delivery of the ship is anticipated in August or September 2024. Furthermore, the second 76m HE OPVP 204 is expected to have its launching ceremony in February 2024 at the Dearsan Shipyard, Turkey.
Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, Chief of the Naval Staff, expressed the significance of these naval vessels, emphasizing that they would complement efforts to combat oil theft and other maritime challenges.
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