Tinubu Pushes For Faster Delivery Of Attack Helicopters, Welcomes Airbus Deal

Tinubu Pushes For Faster Delivery Of Attack Helicopters, Welcomes Airbus Deal

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for the accelerated delivery of already-ordered attack helicopters to strengthen Nigeria’s counterterrorism operations, while also welcoming a proposal by Airbus to establish aircraft maintenance and hangar facilities in the country.

The President made the remarks during a meeting with a delegation from Airbus led by Thierry Cloutet, Head of Regional Business Growth for Africa and the Middle East, on the sidelines of the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda.

According to the Presidency, the discussions formed part of a broader strategy to position Nigeria as a regional hub for aerospace services, aviation maintenance, and aircraft financing across West Africa.

President Tinubu stressed that Nigeria urgently requires modern attack helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft to support ongoing security operations against terrorism, banditry, and other violent crimes across the country. He specifically urged the swift delivery of three Apache helicopters already ordered by Nigeria, insisting that faster deployment of air assets is critical to current military operations.

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“Nigeria needs attack helicopters urgently that can be used to confront and overwhelm terrorists. That is my priority now,” the President was quoted as saying.

During the meeting, Tinubu welcomed Airbus’ proposal to establish maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) hangar facilities in Nigeria, describing it as a strategic step toward strengthening the country’s aviation ecosystem and boosting its regional competitiveness.

He also expressed Nigeria’s readiness to deepen cooperation with Airbus in both military and civilian aviation, including aircraft leasing, financing models, and long-term aviation infrastructure development.

The President said his administration is exploring innovative financing arrangements such as export credit schemes and sale-and-lease-back structures to improve access to aircraft for local operators and reduce funding constraints in the aviation sector.

Discussions also covered Nigeria’s acquisition of the Airbus C-295 military transport platform and broader defence aviation collaboration aimed at improving logistics, surveillance, and operational efficiency for the Armed Forces.

Officials say the engagement aligns with ongoing efforts to modernise Nigeria’s defence capabilities and enhance coordination between air and ground operations in active security theatres.

Tinubu and the Airbus delegation also discussed the possibility of establishing a dedicated aviation leasing company in Nigeria to support airlines and strengthen the country’s aviation value chain.

The proposed structure is expected to improve aircraft availability, reduce operational costs, and boost competitiveness among domestic carriers.

Airbus also proposed a “360-degree engagement” framework covering commercial aviation, military cooperation, sustainability initiatives, human capital development, satellite technology, and Earth observation systems.

Airbus representative Thierry Cloutet commended Nigeria’s ongoing economic reforms and efforts to stabilise the aviation sector, adding that the company is committed to supporting the country’s long-term aerospace development goals.

He reaffirmed Airbus’ interest in expanding its footprint in Africa through infrastructure investment, technology transfer, and strategic partnerships.

The Presidency says the engagements reflect a dual-track approach—strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture through faster deployment of military aircraft while also positioning the country as a regional aviation and aerospace hub.

Officials added that further technical discussions are expected in the coming months to finalise aspects of the proposed partnerships and equipment deliveries.

Tinubu Pushes For Faster Delivery Of Attack Helicopters, Welcomes Airbus Deal