Nigeria is expanding its air force fleet, acquiring 24 M-346 light fighter-trainer aircraft and 10 AW-109 Trekker helicopters from Italian defense manufacturer Leonardo.
According to Air Force spokesperson Olusola Akinboyewa, Nigeria’s Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar met with Leonardo executives at their Rome headquarters to discuss the deal in early October.
The first three M-346s are scheduled for delivery by early 2025 after the Nigerian Air Force signed a deal with Leonardo in April this year.
Meanwhile, the Trekker helicopters are anticipated in 2026.
Abubakar also noted that these acquisitions, particularly the M-346s, require the establishment of a maintenance hub within the country for long-term support.
Diverse Defense Acquisitions
Nigeria plans to have 50 new military aircraft as part of its strategy to counter acts of terrorism committed by Boko Haram and other insurgents active around the country.
Aside from Italy, the African country has looked to Asia to acquire more aircraft, where it has purchased a batch of four Light Combat Helicopters from India and four CN235-220 transport aircraft from Indonesia.
Talks are also ongoing to procure two Airbus C-295 medium tactical transport aircraft.
During the first quarter of 2024, the US confirmed the $1-billion sale of 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters to Abuja.
However, the government’s focus on massive aircraft acquisition has been criticized by Nigerian defense analyst Mike Ejiofor as “overambitious,” suggesting that Abuja should train ground troops instead for effective counter-terrorism.
