The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) accepted its second and final Mil Mi-171E heavy-lift tactical transport helicopter at NAF Base Makurdi – located in the nation’s Benue State – on December 2.
The Mi-171E (NATO reporting name: Hip-H), serial NAF582, arrived at the Nigerian air base at exactly 1515hrs (local time) after being flown in aboard an Ilyushin Il-76 heavy-lift strategic transport. This delivery completes the Nigerian Federal Government Administration’s procurement of two Mi-171Es from Serbia. It brings the total of new aircraft acquired by Nigeria since 2015 to 23.
![Mi-171E [Nigerian Air Force via Twitter]](https://fullfatthings-keyaero.b-cdn.net/sites/keyaero/files/styles/article_body/public/inline-images/Mi-171E%20%5BNigerian%20Air%20Force%20via%20Twitter%5D.jpg?itok=0t0WrCkd)
In a press release, the NAF said: “The new aircraft will undoubtedly boost [the] NAF’s contributions in the fight against insurgency, armed banditry and other criminal activities in the country. The newly-received aircraft will now be assembled in Makurdi by a team from the equipment vendor, assisted by NAF technicians, prior to test flying and formal induction into the NAF.”
The new helicopter was accepted by the Air Officer Commanding Tactical Air Command, Air Vice Marshal Olusegun Philip, on behalf of the NAF’s Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar. Additionally, representatives from the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigeria Immigration Service were also present to ensure that the necessary documentation accompanied the delivery.
