By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has declared that the ongoing expansion of the Nigerian Army Aviation wing represents a strategic game-changer in the military’s campaign against terrorism and other emerging security threats across the country.
The position of the Army Chief was contained in a press statement signed by Colonel Appolonia Anele, Acting Director, Army Public Relations, on Thursday.
Speaking during a strategic visit by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Richard Pheelangwa, to Army Headquarters, Abuja, Lieutenant General Shaibu said enhanced air capabilities have become indispensable in confronting Nigeria’s complex and evolving threat landscape.
He described Army Aviation as a decisive force multiplier, stressing that modern battlefields demand the seamless integration of advanced aviation platforms and unmanned aerial systems with efficient administrative and logistical support structures.
According to him, the expansion of aviation assets and the enhancement of Unmanned Aerial Systems have significantly boosted operational response times, precision strikes, intelligence gathering and real-time situational awareness across multiple theatres of operation.
“These capabilities are redefining battlefield dynamics,” he said, noting that the improved air-ground synergy has strengthened the Army’s capacity to project force, dominate operational spaces and provide enhanced protection for civilian populations.
The COAS emphasized that sustaining the gains of modernization requires predictable funding, streamlined procurement processes and robust logistics frameworks. He warned that without consistent resource flows and policy support, the full operational potential of Army Aviation may not be realized.
He also highlighted the growing infrastructural demands arising from the recent increase in personnel strength approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that thousands of recruits are currently undergoing training.
He called for deliberate investment in barracks construction and facility upgrades to ensure improved accommodation, welfare and morale for troops.
In his remarks, Mr. Pheelangwa described the visit as a strategic engagement aimed at strengthening collaboration between the Ministry of Defence and the Nigerian Army, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to eliminating procedural bottlenecks and enhancing administrative synergy in support of the Army’s aviation expansion and broader modernization agenda.
