How Nigerian Army Bought, Refurbished 60-Year-Old Fire-fighting Helicopters Abandoned In South Africa, Presented Aircraft As New

In June 2024, the Nigerian Army led by Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, received two Bell UH-1H ‘Huey’ helicopters at a ceremony held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

The aircraft were registered as NA 010 and NA 011.

Army spokesman, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement after the ceremony claimed the helicopters were bought new.

“The Nigerian Army (NA) has taken a significant step in enhancing its operational capabilities with the delivery of the first batch of new aircrafts (sic),” he had said.

“The berthing of the aircrafts (sic) marks a significant milestone in the development of the Nigerian Army Aviation’s capacity to provide air support for ground operations.

“The aircraft BELL UH-1H (HUEY) helicopters, were formally received by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja in a brief ceremony held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Thursday 20 June, 2024.”

the Coordinator of Nigerian Army Aviation, Brig.-Gen. Musa Alkali, said the introduction of the air platforms marked a new chapter in army’s operational readiness and ability to respond swiftly and effectively to diverse security challenges.

the helicopters were not new as claimed.

The aircraft are former forest fire fighting choppers in South Africa used for many years and subsequently abandoned.

NA 011, was previously registered as ZT-RAI while NA 010 was previously registered as ZT-RCS while in the country.

They were however bought and refurbished by the Nigerian Army authorities.

A check on avcom.co.zashowed both helicopters were put up for sale on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.

“Two Bell UH-1H Huey helicopters ZT-RCS and ZT-RAI were recently noted flying at Rand Airport painted in an overall olive drab livery. These former forest fire fighting helicopters had been in South Africa for several years but were put up for sale earlier this year.

“Photos and videos subsequently published on social media platforms showed several Nigerian Army helicopter pilots received training on these two helicopters at Henley Air.

“While these two helicopters have not yet featured in this update as cancelled from the local register they were subsequently shown on social media and news agency posts on delivery to the recently-established Nigerian Army Aviation Airwing at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, Nigeria on 20 June wearing the serial numbers NA 010 and NA 011 respectively,” SA Flyer, an African aviation magazine reported on August 24, 2024.

According to Defensehere.com, NA 010, which was previously registered as ZT-RCS in South Africa was manufactured in 1968 and it was used by the US Army before transitioning to the civilian market as N518CB.

It was then exported to South Africa by Northwest Helicopters in 2014.

NA 011, previously registered as ZT-RAI in South Africa was originally manufactured in 1966, the website added.

It was also used by the US Army until 1996, after which it was transferred to Helinet Corp in California and operated under the registration N313CF.

Later, it was used by Northwest Helicopters and Turbines LLC before being delivered to South Africa in 2015.

Army spokesman, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, could not be reached for comment as calls to his line were not answered.

He had also yet to reply to a message sent to him on the matter as of the time of filing this report.