The Nigerian Navy is set to receive the second of three Leonardo AW109 SP GrandNew helicopters, as the aircraft was recently spotted at Varese-Venegono Airport in Italy. The helicopter, likely to be designated NN411, features a new camouflage pattern.
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AW109 SP GrandNew, as part of the Nigerian Navy's presidential fleet, features a new camouflage pattern. (Picture source:Â
This development comes after Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo's visit to the Leonardo helicopters factory in Milan in August 2022. The visit was presumably to inspect the first three AW109SP GrandNew helicopters ordered by the Nigerian Navy.
The AW109 SP GrandNew is a lightweight, twin-engine, eight-seat multi-purpose helicopter manufactured by Italian aerospace company Leonardo S.p.A. It is an advanced variant of the AW109 series, designed for a range of utility and reconnaissance missions.
As part of the Nigerian Navy's presidential fleet review, several new platforms, including this AW109SP GrandNew (NN 410), will be inducted into service. This follows the Nigerian Air Force's (NAF) announcement on January 18, 2023, that it had received two new Leonardo AW109 Power helicopters.
Nigeria's aerial capabilities have seen significant expansion, with a diverse fleet of helicopters and aircraft from various countries. Recent acquisitions include Pakistan's JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, Russia's Mi-35M attack helicopters, and China's unmanned aerial vehicles. With the upcoming addition of the US and Turkish attack helicopters, Nigeria's helicopter fleet continues to expand, as Air Recognition reported on August 25, 2023.
