The Nigerian Air Force is moving forward with plans to enhance its combat readiness by acquiring an additional fleet of fighter jets and helicopters.
The PUNCH reported that the new aircraft include 24 M-346 Fighter Ground Attack jets and 10 AW-109 Trekker helicopters, aimed at strengthening the country’s air power in the fight against armed groups and terrorists.
This acquisition is part of a broader strategy that the NAF outlined earlier in June, when it announced plans to procure 50 new aircraft.
Over the past two years, the service has already bolstered its fleet with deliveries such as 12 A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, T-129 ATAK helicopters, two DA-62 surveillance planes, and Diamond-62 Multi-Purpose aircraft.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Director of Public Relations and Information for the NAF, Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, confirmed that Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, and officials from both the Ministries of Defence and Finance had recently traveled to Italy to finalize the purchase of the M-346 jets and AW-109 helicopters.
The NAF delegation, led by Air Marshal Abubakar, participated in a Programme Management Review meeting with Italian aircraft manufacturer Leonardo S.P.A. to finalize the logistics of acquiring the aircraft.
Akinboyewa emphasized that the meeting in Italy was crucial for securing the 24 M-346 FGA jets and the additional 10 AW-109 helicopters, supplementing the two already acquired by the NAF.
“The meeting aimed to finalise arrangements for the NAF’s acquisition of 24 M-346 Fighter Ground Attack jets as well as an additional 10 AW-109 Trekker helicopters to the two already procured by the NAF,” Akinboyewa said.
According to the schedule shared during the meeting, the first three M-346 jets are expected to be delivered to Nigeria by early 2025, with the rest arriving through mid-2026. As for the AW-109 helicopters, the remaining 10 units are also slated for delivery by early 2026, complementing the existing two.
Akinboyewa added, “In the Review Meeting, the CAS received updates on the delivery schedules, confirming that the first 3 units of 24 M-346 aircraft to be built for Nigeria are expected by early 2025, with subsequent deliveries running until mid-2026. Meanwhile, with two Trekkers already acquired, the additional 10 are expected by early 2026.”
During his visit to Italy, Air Marshal Abubakar took the opportunity to inspect the first batch of six M-346 jets that were part of an earlier deal. He noted that three of these jets were nearing completion.
The Air Chief also met with Leonardo executives in Rome to discuss the establishment of a long-term partnership between the NAF and the company, stressing the importance of setting up a maintenance hub in Nigeria to ensure the long-term operational support of the M-346 fleet.
While inspecting the nearly finished aircraft, Air Marshal Abubakar evaluated essential support systems that would be necessary to maintain the operational readiness of the NAF.
He also noted the versatility of the M-346, which is capable of conducting both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, significantly enhancing the nation’s air combat capabilities.
Akinboyewa emphasized that the addition of the AW-109 helicopters would further augment the NAF’s capacity to perform combat support roles, including Combat Search and Rescue, tactical airlift, and Medical Evacuation.
He concluded, “The M-346 and Trekker acquisitions are key steps towards fleet renewal, in consonance with the CAS Command Philosophy to transform the NAF for greater agility and resilience, with emphasis on the optimization of force structure and establishment for enhanced operational effectiveness.”
This acquisition marks a strategic effort to boost the NAF’s overall capability, making it better equipped to address ongoing security challenges in Nigeria.
