BELL COMMEMORATES FIRST PRODUCTION AH-1Z AIRCRAFT FOR NIGERIA

Bell Textron hosted a delegation from Nigeria at its Amarillo, Texas production facility to mark the start of production of AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters for the Nigerian Air Force, built under a Foreign Military Sales programme. Delegates toured the production line and signed the frame of the first aircraft. “We are honored to host the Nigerian Air Force and share this milestone in production for the AH-1Z,” said Scott Sims, H-1 programme director at Bell. “The beam of the first production Viper for Nigeria will forever carry the names, hopes, and commitment of those who brought this aircraft to life.”

A SALE YEARS IN THE MAKING

The Nigerian Viper deal has a longer paper trail than Bell’s release alone suggests. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible sale on 14 April 2022, under transmittal number 22-24, covering 12 AH-1Z helicopters at an estimated programme cost of 997 million dollars, along with 28 T700-GE-401C engines, more than 2,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System guidance sections, night-vision and target-sighting systems, and M197 20mm cannon equipment; that notification also earmarked 25 million dollars of case funds to develop targeting processes intended to comply with international humanitarian law. Bell’s own release describes the resulting production contract as approved by the Department of War in 2024, with delivery of all 12 aircraft projected for completion in early 2029; Bell will also provide associated engineering, programme management and logistics support. “The Bell AH-1Z Viper will play an important role in strengthening our counterterrorism and counterinsurgency operations and enhancing our ability to protect the citizens of Nigeria,” said Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Nigerian Air Force spokesperson. “We are pleased with the Viper’s advanced capabilities and interoperability and look forward to its induction as a key platform in our attack helicopter fleet.” “Today also signifies the dedication of thousands of Bell and Team Viper employees around the world who are proud to support this important international partner,” Sims added.

Note: WAN could not verify from Bell’s own materials whether the 2024 approval referenced in its release is the same Foreign Military Sales case notified to Congress in April 2022 or a subsequent, related case; both concern the same 12-aircraft Nigerian Viper programme.