The fighter aircraft acquired by the Nigerian Army is expected to arrive in the country today, Thursday.

The exact number of arriving aircraft is not yet known, but the group is the first of its kind expected in the country.

In a notice on Thursday from the Headquarters, the Chief of Army Staff would immediately inaugurate the aircraft for operational use.

The notice partly read, “The Nigerian Army Aviation is set to take delivery of its first batch of aircraft today. The Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja will subsequently launch the aircraft into operations upon arrival in Nigeria.”

Lagbaja had in September 2023, disclosed that the Federal Government approved the purchase of 12 MD 530F Cayuse Attack Helicopters for the service.

According to him, the procurement of this fighter aircraft would help improve the operational capabilities of the Nigerian Army to curb the insecurity ravaging the country.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria in support of the operationalization of Nigerian Army Aviation has approved the acquisition of the initial 12 MD 530F Cayuse Attack Helicopters that will actualize the operationalization of the Nigerian Army Aviation to effectively tackle security challenges bedeviling the country.

“The acquisition of the new attack helicopters is part of ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to boost the operational capabilities of the Army Aviation to appropriately respond to contemporary and emerging security threats,” Lagbaja was quoted as saying.