By Iliya Kure
Lagos (Nigeria) — Nigerian Air Force has inducted into its fleet a new ‘Bell 412 Helicopter’ handed over to it by the Federal Government earlier this year. The helicopter is one of the 2 kept in containers for about 2 years.
Prior to the induction, major systems of the 2 helicopters, and the surveillance cameras had to be sent to the USA and Canada for overhaul and repairs to restore their airworthiness. The second Bell 412 Helicopter is undergoing reactivation at the NAF’s 631 Aircraft Maintenance Depot (ACMD) Lagos.
Speaking at the induction ceremony, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said, the new helicopter has a night vision capability, amongst other capabilities, adding that the NAF had already trained its pilots, engineers and technicians to operate and maintain the new helicopter.
He said, adequate arrangements had been made to ensure the availability of spares and Ground Support Equipment for the Bell 412 Helicopters.
According to him, the new helicopter would be deployed to the Northeast, as part of efforts to strengthen counterterrorism campaign.
