The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja says President Bola Tinubu has approved payment for the procurement of 12 attack helicopters for the Nigerian Army.

General Lagbaja made this known at the opening of the maiden Nigerian Army Aviation Seminar in Abuja.

He said that the 12 MD 530F Cayuse attack helicopters would operationalize the Nigerian army aviation unit, which was set up to improve ground troops’ agility, responsiveness, and efficacy during operations.

The army chief added that it would also contribute to the overall operational success of joint and coalition troops.

General Lagbaja explained that the army aviation was generally separate from a nation’s dedicated air force, but usually equipped with helicopters and light support fixed-wing aircraft.

He appreciated the president for buying into the aspiration of the army to have an equipped aviation unit, which would support ground troops as they focus on tactical and operational engagements.