The Nigerian Air Force has received a second Mi-171E helicopter acquired from Serbia, the service announced on December 2.
The announcement said the brand new helicopter was transported to NAF Base Makurdi aboard llyushin 76 strategic airlifter aircraft. The first of the overall two Mi-171Es Nigeria is buying arrived in country in February this year. It is still unclear how the brand new helicopters are being delivered from Serbia, as the country does not produce the helicopters.
Sections of the second helicopter arrived in crates and will now be assembled in Makurdi prior to test-flying and formal induction into the NAF.
The Nigerian Air Force said the new aircraft would boost the country’s capability in the fight against insurgency, armed banditry and other criminal activities. Built by Kazan Helicopters, the Mi-171E version of the Mi-17 transport helicopter is equipped with the VK-2500-03 engines that perform well in extreme temperatures. The helicopter can transport 26 personnel and carry loads of up to 4,000 kg.
The air force further noted that the Mi-171E was the 23rd new aircraft bought by Nigeria since 2015.
