Nigerian Air Force to receive 10 Mi-35M attack helicopters in 2018

The Russian Federal Service for Technical-Military Cooperation (FSTMC) says it will complete the delivery of 12 Mi-35M attack helicopters to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) in 2018, correcting earlier reports suggesting the sale involved (Sukhoi) Su-30M fighter jets. By Oscar Nkala

FSTMC Deputy Director-General Anatoly Punchuk told Russian-language news outlet RIA Novosti that following the delivery of two units in January, Nigeria would receive its balance of 10 Mi-35M attack helicopters in the course of 2018.

Last week, reports carried by several global media outlets erroneously stated that Nigeria had acquired Su-30 fighter jets.

The two Mi-35M helicopters that were delivered to Nigeria in January have been deployed to counter-insurgency missions against Islamist rebel movement Boko Haram.