rka2:
camera installed

They have added the Survelliance camera.

Nigeria COIN

According to Wikipedia, under the article of Nigerian Armed Forces, the whole of the Nigerian Armed Forces (including Army, Air Force and navy) numbered 162k with 32k reserve. Also according to Wikipedia, under the article of Nigerian Army, the Army alone numbered 200k. Am confused

sudan armed force

Henry240:
Nigeria COIN

Seems these guys were recently rotated. Many of them
in town with their signature 'unmilitary' hairstyle(perks of being a sf?)

rka2:
camera installed

Could this have been better off with the Army

Actually, its better off with the police.

Odunayaw:
Could this have been better off with the Army

Deway7575:
Actually, its better off with the police.

Yes

But we know the police would use them for hangar ops only

The NA hasn't lifted off its Aviation plans & The NAF is getting pairs of every thing with rotors

Henry240:

They have added the Survelliance camera.

Most definitely. Hopefully more surveillance work than VIP �

Odunayaw:
Could this have been better off with the Army

Let's hope the army will get theirs with the much delayed Army Aviation assets.

rka2:


Most definitely. Hopefully more surveillance work than VIP �

VIP seats + EO= ISR in less dangerous areas such as kaduna express roads.


EO PODs + something like this = Multiple casualties to BHT

Odunayaw:
Yes

But we know the police would use them for hangar ops only

The NA hasn't lifted off its Aviation plans & The NAF is getting pairs of every thing with rotors

Odunayo, are you able to explain to me the thinking behind setting up Army Air Aviation? I know that at some stage the NAF just wanted to fly fast jets and the transport wing, with the rotorcraft going to the NA (all air forces want this, but don't want the budget allocation for rotor-craft to depart with the unwanted egg-beaters )! With so few rotor-craft in the Nigerian military, I fail to see the justification for the NA even setting up its Aviation Arm. Setting up training and facilities for pilots, logs & maintenance, doctrine development etc from scratch is no walk in the park. Far better to maintain the status quo, especially considering the disruptive consequences of such a move in the middle of an insurgency.
I keep getting too many conflicting viewpoints from my Nigerian military colleagues.

rka2:


Most definitely. Hopefully more surveillance work than VIP �

4 more units of the Bell 412 might not be a bad idea.

tdayof:


VIP seats + EO= ISR in less dangerous areas such as kaduna express roads.


EO PODs + something like this = Multiple casualties to BHT

it will act as an airborne command and control to swarming gunships flying low level

tdayof:


VIP seats + EO= ISR in less dangerous areas such as kaduna express roads.


EO PODs + something like this = Multiple casualties to BHT

I suppose it would have taken more time to do so and it is after all a utility heli so transporting VIPs and soldiers are part of the package.

Henry240:

4 more units of the Bell 412 might not be a bad idea.

Aye.

frumentius:

Odunayo, are you able to explain to me the thinking behind setting up Army Air Aviation? I know that at some stage the NAF just wanted to fly fast jets and the transport wing, with the rotorcraft going to the NA (all air forces want this, but don't want the budget allocation for rotor-craft to depart with the unwanted egg-beaters )! With so few rotor-craft in the Nigerian military, I fail to see the justification for the NA even setting up its Aviation Arm. Setting up training and facilities for pilots, logs & maintenance, doctrine development etc from scratch is no walk in the park. Far better to maintain the status quo, especially considering the disruptive consequences of such a move in the middle of an insurgency.
I keep getting too many conflicting viewpoints from my Nigerian military colleagues.

The Army was at first psyched up for an aviation unit because of (old) NAF's inability to conduct air resupply runs, observation and recce and insertion. The Army thus trained 40 pilots and technicians to boot.
Through the present insurgency. The Army has attached technicians and engineers with NAF so there isn't really an issue with training and facilities for pilots.logs & maintenance, doctrine development etc .Solmething like commensalism

However the stick in the mud is money. Money which the Army doesn't have.My idea for the Bells to serve with the Army is because of Special Operations.


But if you ask me I'd say we dont need any army aviation unit. The idea just seem like taking paracetamol for migraine. The issue has always been diverse types of materiel thus causing problems with spares,expertise and even men to man these machines. Till we complete fixing that (including procurement policy and direction) we'd keep getting pairs of anything that can hover

meanwhile, can you pronounce Odunayo

Brilliant!

Odunayaw:
The Army was at first psyched up for an aviation unit because of (old) NAF's inability to conduct air resupply runs, observation and recce and insertion. The Army thus trained 40 pilots and technicians to boot.
Through the present insurgency. The Army has attached technicians and engineers with NAF so there isn't really an issue with training and facilities for pilots.logs & maintenance, doctrine development etc .Solmething like commensalism

However the stick in the mud is money. Money which the Army doesn't have.My idea for the Bells to serve with the Army is because of Special Operations.


But if you ask me I'd say we dont need any army aviation unit. The idea just seem like taking paracetamol for migraine. The issue has always been diverse types of materiel thus causing problems with spares,expertise and even men to man these machines. Till we complete fixing that (including procurement policy and direction) we'd keep getting pairs of anything that can hover

meanwhile, can you pronounce Odunayo

newafricaken254:
it will act as an airborne command and control to swarming gunships flying low level

Our gunships are being used for night missions, it's no doubt the command will continue using the beechcraft.

tdayof:


Our gunships are being used for night missions, it's no doubt the command will continue using the beechcraft.

the beechcraft will be over-tasked thus the need for extra airborne platforms

Odunayaw:
The Army was at first psyched up for an aviation unit because of (old) NAF's inability to conduct air resupply runs, observation and recce and insertion. The Army thus trained 40 pilots and technicians to boot.
Through the present insurgency. The Army has attached technicians and engineers with NAF so there isn't really an issue with training and facilities for pilots.logs & maintenance, doctrine development etc .Solmething like commensalism

However the stick in the mud is money. Money which the Army doesn't have.My idea for the Bells to serve with the Army is because of Special Operations.


But if you ask me I'd say we dont need any army aviation unit. The idea just seem like taking paracetamol for migraine. The issue has always been diverse types of materiel thus causing problems with spares,expertise and even men to man these machines. Till we complete fixing that (including procurement policy and direction) we'd keep getting pairs of anything that can hover

meanwhile, can you pronounce Odunayo

Also to add to yours, The Army recruited Direct short service officers for the Aviation corps last year Engineers and Fire officers too. Another drawback is some of the trained pilots have retired example Major General. Emeka (former NDA Commandant) and others.

newafricaken254:
it will act as an airborne command and control to swarming gunships flying low level

No it won't. Wrong configuration for Airborne C2.
For example: the much larger Oryx, when used for C2, cannot be used for transport.

Now look at the current interior of the NAF Bell: VIP all the way!

Deway7575:
Brilliant!

Henry240:

4 more units of the Bell 412 might not be a bad idea.

Not a bad idea, but better if we standerdize the EC-135 will be a better choice

frumentius:



Now look at the current interior of the NAF Bell: VIP all the way!

What VIP? This is Triple VIP. You should have seen Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki being transported by the SAAF, they sat on those Spartan Orxy seats

Odunayaw:
The Army was at first psyched up for an aviation unit because of (old) NAF's inability to conduct air resupply runs, observation and recce and insertion. The Army thus trained 40 pilots and technicians to boot.
Through the present insurgency. The Army has attached technicians and engineers with NAF so there isn't really an issue with training and facilities for pilots.logs & maintenance, doctrine development etc .Solmething like commensalism

Exactly what I heard: NA got frustrated with inability of NAF to provide support (CAS, insertion, evac, transport etc) and decided NA Aviation would be the salve.

However the stick in the mud is money. Money which the Army doesn't have.My idea for the Bells to serve with the Army is because of Special Operations.
Too true. The Jonathan Admin accepted the proposal without considering the implications. If they'd had any military-savvy people there, they'd have realised the budget implications for the military.


But if you ask me I'd say we dont need any army aviation unit. The idea just seem like taking paracetamol for migraine. The issue has always been diverse types of materiel thus causing problems with spares,expertise and even men to man these machines. Till we complete fixing that (including procurement policy and direction) we'd keep getting pairs of anything that can hover

meanwhile, can you pronounce Odunayo
Apart from Egypt whose military is 2\3 funded by external sources, I can't fathom any African Army which needs and can afford a specialist Army Aviation Wing separate from the Air Force.
In fact, the planner in me would argue that set-up is more conducive towards "joint-ness" in military doctrine.

As for your name, my prefect at boarding school was an Odunayo whose father was an Nigerian ambassador. He was a banker in Luxemborg who's now retired at 45!

[quote author=Nok234 post=62137130]
Not a bad idea, but better if we standerdize the EC-135 will be a better choice [/quote
Because Nigeria has used the Bell both in the N.N., NAF (now) and the NPF.I would go with the Bell Helicopters.
Also don't forget it would be easier to access parts from the U.S.(The Civillian version)..
The EC 135 , I would like for the NAF to continue to use them in that same role of QRF, CT and offensive signature because of its low engine noise signature.

ActivateKruger:


What VIP? This is Triple VIP. You should have seen Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki being transported by the SAAF, they sat on those Spartan Orxy seats

Not doing a comparison between SAAF VIP and others. For all we know, someone might just come back and tell me that heli's less than VIP arrangement!
15 Squadron out in Durban might well complain about the number of choppers they have to maintain for VIP transport, as opposed to operational readiness for mountain and sea rescues:
In their inventory - 6 Oryx; 5 Agusta 109H; 2 BK117s.
Ask either the Drakkies Mountain Club/NSRI Durban Station or anybody rescued in the mountains or sea if it was Agusta and they'll laugh at you. Show the pic of the Agusta to the villagers around Nkandla and they'll give you too many details of all the pilots!!!

AMISOM troops have launched a massive operation to flush out Al-Shabaab militants in Lower Shabelle region and secure main supply routes in the area.

“The purpose of today’s operation is to ensure that we wipe out the Al-Shabaab elements in these general areas, and of course as you are aware that AMISOM is here to support the Somali National security forces who are already moving ahead of us in this operation,” he said.

Nok234:

Not a bad idea, but better if we standerdize the EC-135 will be a better choice

They were not bought, merely gifted. The EC-135 wasn't bought either, also gifted.

Nok234:

Not a bad idea, but better if we standerdize the EC-135 will be a better choice

The Huey = medium lift
EC-135 = light lift

The two platforms can't be compared.

frumentius:

Well put. Jointness like the Brits with their Joint Forces Aviation Wing right?

Nice to know my name has some history, unfortunately my dad is only an ambassador of his tribe