Bell begins production of first AH-1Z for Nigeria

Bell has started production of the first AH-1Z attack helicopter destined for the Nigerian air force, the manufacturer announced, with assembly work under way at its facility in Amarillo, Texas.

Nigerian officials, among them air force chief of staff Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, visited the site on 16 September to see the line and sign the lead aircraft's frame, the company said. H-1 programme director Scott Sims described the visit as a production milestone.

Nigeria finalised a Foreign Military Sales agreement in 2024 covering a dozen of the rotorcraft, valued at $455 million. Bell said it expects to complete production of the helicopters in early 2029.

Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame said the aircraft would strengthen the service's counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency work and its ability to protect Nigerian citizens, and added that the air force expects the type to become a mainstay of its attack helicopter fleet.

Nigeria will join the US Marine Corps plus Bahrain and the Czech Republic as operators of the AH-1Z. Ukraine has also signalled possible interest in the type, according to Bell. The Nigerian inventory currently includes 15 Mil Mi-24/35 assault helicopters, with a further 18 of the Russian-built model on order, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.