Nigeria to Field 12 US Viper Attack Helicopters by 2029

By Samuel Akpan

The United States has started building 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters for Nigeria at a Texas plant this month.

The nearly $1 billion package is meant to give the Nigerian Air Force its first American-made dedicated attack helicopters.

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria in a post on its official X handle on Tuesday noted that the Bell Textron began work on the first Nigerian Viper on 16 September at its Amarillo factory, all 12 aircraft are due to roll off the line in early 2029.

The Mission said: “U.S.-Nigeria security cooperation continues to advance our shared efforts to strengthen regional security.

The planned acquisition of 12 AH-1Z Viper helicopters underscores both countries’ commitment to building Nigeria’s defense capabilities and addressing current and emerging threats together.

“The United States values continued cooperation with Nigeria in support of peace, security, and stability.”

PerSecondNews reports that Washington cleared the Foreign Military Sale in April 2022. Nigeria made its opening payment in August 2023. The programme is valued at an estimated $997 million.

That figure covers the 12 airframes, 28 T700-GE-401C turboshaft engines (four of them spares), 2,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System kits, night-vision systems, spare parts and long-term logistics.

The AH-1Z Viper is Bell Textron’s twin-engine, two-seat attack helicopter — the latest Cobra-family gunship used by the US Marine Corps.

It replaced the two-blade AH-1W Super Cobra, the big change is a four-blade, hingeless, bearingless composite main rotor and a four-blade tail rotor, plus a digital glass cockpit, more payload and a marinized airframe built for shipboard work.

It shares about 85 percent of parts with the UH-1Y Venom utility helicopter.

Two General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshafts, 1,800 shaft horsepower each (uninstalled).

Nigeria’s package includes 28 of these engines — 24 installed plus 4 spares — matching the original FMS list, infrared suppressors cut the heat signature.

US export rules on the AH-1Z remain tight. Training in the law of armed conflict, mobile support teams and contractor backing form part of the deal.

Officials on both sides say the sale deepens security cooperation and is intended to help Nigeria confront present and future threats.