Nigeria Acquiring VIP AW101s

摘要

AgustaWestland will soon deliver two AW101 helicopters to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), for use as VIP transport. They were originally destined for the Indian Air Force but were diverted to the NAF after the Indian contract was cancelled following allegations of bribery and corruption (see India Suspends AW101 Purchase Over Bribery Allegations, March 2013, p4). One of the AW101s (NAF280, c 50251) has been noted recently painted in NAF VIP colours at AgustaWestland's facility in Yeovil, Somerset. It is assumed the new helicopters will be flown by 101 Presidential Air Fleet in Abuja. Meanwhile, the 209 Executive Airlift Group at Abuja-Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport has recently received a Mil Mi-17-V5 (5N-BGY), previously flown on search and rescue missions by the National Emergency Management Agency.