MD Helicopters to deliver Cayuse Warrior helicopters to Nigerian Army

The Nigerian Army has awarded Arizona-based MD Helicopters a contract to supply Cayuse Warrior Plus scout/attack helicopters.

The aircraft are expected to bolster counter-terrorism and insurgency missions across the African country.

The Arizona-based MD Helicopters, an American aerospace manufacturer was just about to file for bankruptcy and sell the company when Nigeria saved the day with a contract for 36 Cayuse Warrior light attack helicopters.

The sudden turn of events has seen the company on the verge of bankruptcy now employ 125 new workers to fulfil the Nigerian army’s order.

Nigeria is fast becoming one of America’s most important defence market in Africa. The country has acquired more weapons from the U.S than any other country in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Super Tucano deal netted the Florida-based Sierra Nevada a whopping $600 million.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is getting 12 AH-1Z Vipers helicopters. The army, UH-1D Hueys, and now MD Helicopters, saved from bankruptcy by the Nigerian army with an order for 36 Cayuse Warrior light attack helicopters.

The largest one-time acquisition of aircraft in the history of the NAF. The company is taking in more than 120 new employees to fulfil this order.

Brad Pedersen, MDH president/CEO said, “We are grateful for the trust of the Nigerian government and are pleased to showcase our purpose-built, light attack aircraft solution to Nigeria and the world.”

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.