Nigerian Bell AH-1Z

[chopper2004]

Hmmm Vipers for 🇳🇬🤔🤔

https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/nigeria-ah-1z-attack-helicopter-related-fms-acquisitions

https://www.govconwire.com/2022/04/us-greenlights-997m-ah-1z-attack-helicopter-sale-deal-for-nigeria/

2 decades ago they were looking for AH capability and at the time, our company was negotiating to maintain their Puma fleet. Anyhow as part of negotiation, offered to an analysis of the AH marketplace at the time

cheers

[212man]

Thought they are using Mi-35s

[Lonewolf_50]

While I sincerely hope that this one goes through, the language at both links is tentative, indicating that a "potential sale" has been given the political green light.
The principal contractors will be Bell Helicopter, Textron, Fort Worth, TX; and General Electric Company, Lynn, MA. There are no known offset agreements in connection with this potential sale. In my brain, the lack of offsets means that either an outright gift, or the old "loan guarantee" will be part of the funding scheme to help Nigeria acquire these fine helicopters.
Here's hoping.

[SASless]

Or lots of Nigerian Oil being on offer from NNPC.

[Nigerian Expat Outlaw]

Based on past performance they won't stay serviceable for very long and once the bills start piling up and spares stop arriving it'll be cannibalisation until the entire fleet are grounded.

Cynical I know, but they haven't exactly inspired faith over the years. :rolleyes:

NEO

[SASless]

NEO calls it right.:ok:

[finalchecksplease]

At least they won't be able to ground taxi one into a storm drain in Osubi 😜

[SASless]

I would not be taking any bets just yet if I were you....they are very creative some things!:oh:

[212man]

At least they won't be able to ground taxi one into a storm drain in Osubi 😜
showing your age!

[212man]

Based on past performance they won't stay serviceable for very long and once the bills start piling up and spares stop arriving it'll be cannibalisation until the entire fleet are grounded.

Cynical I know, but they haven't exactly inspired faith over the years. :rolleyes:

NEO
I think they were flying one out of six Mi35s for some time. As FCP says - one didn’t actually make it to Port Harcourt!

[Trim Stab]

Very unlikely that the NAF will buy direct from Bell-Textron because B-T will not be able to pay the obligatory kick-backs to senior NAF officers, due to US anti-corruption laws. If something does go ahead, it will be at a vastly inflated price via an Israeli shell company who will not balk at paying the kickbacks.

Also, who will do the maintenance? I can’t see US contractors queueing up to work in Enugu, Kaduna, Makurdi or wherever they are going to keep them. Most of the SA helicopter maintenance companies who have some tolerance for Nigeria have had their fingers badly burnt by Nigerian Police and AF not paying the bills and confiscating all their tools - so I doubt they will go back in a hurry either.