# Nigerian Air Force Mil Mi-35M attack helicopter crash

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2019/01/nigerian-air-force-mil-mi-35m-attack-helicopter-crash/
- Published: 2019-01-03T01:25:54+01:00
- Author: Ekene Lionel

The Nigerian Air force through its official Twitter handle announced on 
2nd January
2019 that its Russian-Made Mil Mi-35M attack helicopters has crashed.

> NIGERIAN AIR FORCE HELICOPTER LOST IN COMBAT
> A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Helicopter
> was lost in combat while providing close air support to troops of 145 Battalion
> at Damasak in Northern Borno State.
> — Nigerian Air Force (@NigAirForce) [January 2, 2019](https://twitter.com/NigAirForce/status/1080580599562276865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

The Mil Mi-35M attack helicopter was providing air support to troops engaging terrorists
in Damasak, Borno State. Five crew members who were on board the Nigerian Air Force(
NAF) Mi-35M Helicopter  died.

Ibikunle Daramola, Air Commodore Director of Public Relations and Information Nigerian
Air Force made known that details of the crash will be made available to the public.

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“The mission was part of the ongoing counterinsurgency operations in the North East.
The incident, occurred about 7:45 pm today, 2 January 2019. Details of the cause
of the crash are still scanty”.

The NAF’s primary Close Air Support (CAS) helicopter is the [Russian-made Mil Mi-24 /35 series assault gunship](https://www.military.africa/2019/01/nigerian-air-force-mil-mi-35m-attack-helicopter-crash/military.africa/2017/04/nigerian-air-force-takes-delivery-of-two-mil-mi-35m-assault-helicopter).
The Nigerian Air Force also utilize a weaponized Eurocopter EC-135 light transport
and utility helicopter in providing aerial fire support to ground units.

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In December 2016, the [NAF lost an Agusta AW 101 medium-lift helicopter, which crashed](https://www.military.africa/2019/01/nigerian-air-force-mil-mi-35m-attack-helicopter-crash/military.africa/2016/12/nigerian-air-force-new-chopper-crash-lands)
at the Nigerian Air Force base in Makurdi. Shortly after, another **Nigerian Air
Force** [Agusta 109 helicopter was brought down in a body](https://www.military.africa/2019/01/nigerian-air-force-mil-mi-35m-attack-helicopter-crash/military.africa/2017/07/nigerian-air-force-agusta-109-helicopter-crashes-in-borno)
of water by the crew after it developed a ‘_technical glitch’._

In 2018, two [Nigerian Air Force F-7Ni fighter jets collided](https://www.military.africa/2019/01/nigerian-air-force-mil-mi-35m-attack-helicopter-crash/military.africa/2018/09/two-nigerian-air-force-naf-f-7ni-fighter-jets-crash-during-independence-day-rehearsal)
during an Independence Day air show rehearsal, resulting in the loss of both aircraft
and the death of a fighter pilot.

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Over the years, the Nigerian Air Force is revitalizing its fleet through multiple
acquisitions in order to bolster it’s counter terrorism operations. On 30 April 
2018, the Nigerian Air Force received two new Mi-35M helicopter, [which are part of a haul of twelve brand new units ordered ](https://www.military.africa/2019/01/nigerian-air-force-mil-mi-35m-attack-helicopter-crash/military.africa/2018/04/nigerian-air-force-receives-new-mi-35m-helicopter)
from Russian Helicopters in September 2015.

The NAF also inducted[ two Bell 412 combat utility helicopters](https://www.military.africa/2019/01/nigerian-air-force-mil-mi-35m-attack-helicopter-crash/military.africa/2017/11/nigerian-air-force-commissions-two-bell-412-utility-helicopters-to-its-fleet)
which was donated by the Rivers state government to the NAF on 5 November 2017 and
is expecting the delivery of the [PAC JF-17 Thunder fighter jet from Pakistan.](https://www.military.africa/2019/01/nigerian-air-force-mil-mi-35m-attack-helicopter-crash/military.africa/2018/10/nigerian-air-force-set-to-receive-jf-17-thunder-multi-role-aircraft-from-pakistan-for-184-3m)

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