The Nigerian Air Force is set to acquire another set of fighter helicopters to boost its combat capabilities.
The aircraft are 24 M-346 Fighter Ground Attack jets and 10 AW-109 Trekker helicopters.
The service had in June disclosed that it would acquire 50 new aircraft to strengthen its capabilities against armed gangs and terrorists.
Already, the service in the last two years had taken delivery of 12 Super Tucano, two additional DA-62 surveillance aircraft and T-129 ATAK helicopters, and two Diamond-62 Multi-Purpose aircraft among others.
In a statement on Sunday, Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, said the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, along with officials from the Ministries of Defence and Finance were in Italy to finalise the acquisition of the jets.
Akinboyewa said, “A team of NAF experts, led by the Chief of the Air Staff, along with officials from the Ministries of Defence and Finance, recently participated in a Programme Management Review Meeting in Italy with Messrs Leonardo S.P.A.
“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 noted that the Nigeria delegation at the meeting was told that three of the 24 M-346 would be delivered by early 2025, while subsequent deliveries would run through mid-2026.
He said, “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.”
Akinboyewa said the Air Chief also inspected the six M-346 jets earlier purchased by the service from Leonardo, adding that three of the jets were almost completed.
He said, “While in Italy, the CAS made a strategic stopover at the Leonardo Headquarters in Rome, where he engaged with top executives to consolidate a long-term partnership between the NAF and the company.
“He also inspected the first batch of six M-346 jets, noting that 3 are nearing completion, and evaluated key support systems required to boost the NAF’s operational readiness. He also stressed the need for a maintenance hub in Nigeria to provide long-term support, especially for the M-346 fleet.”
Akinboyewa noted that the M-346 jets have advanced features capable of both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
He added that the M-346 would significantly strengthen Nigeria’s air combat capabilities.
Akinboyewa also said the AW-109 would bolster combat support roles such as Combat Search and Rescue, tactical airlift and Medical Evacuation amongst others.
“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,” he added.