Nigerian Air Force Expands Fleet with 34 Italian-Made Jets and Helicopters

Nigeria’s air force is set to acquire 24 Italian-made M-346 attack jets and ten AW-109 Trekker helicopters as part of its fleet renewal strategy, a spokesperson announced on Monday.

According to Air Force spokesperson Olusola Akinboyewa, a delegation led by Nigeria’s Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, met with executives from Italy’s Leonardo S.p.A. in Rome.

They confirmed that the first three M-346 aircraft are expected to arrive by early 2025, with further deliveries continuing until mid-2026. The Trekker helicopters are anticipated by early 2026.

Abubakar emphasized that the acquisitions of the M-346 and Trekker helicopters are crucial for fleet renewal and highlighted the necessity for a maintenance hub in Nigeria to ensure long-term support, particularly for the M-346 fleet.

In recent years, Nigeria has increased its military spending in response to ongoing security challenges, including attacks by armed bandits in the northwest and a 15-year-long Islamist insurgency involving Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the northeast.

Additionally, in June, Nigeria received two “Huey” helicopters and previously acquired two Trekkers and 12 American-made A-29 Super Tucano light attack jets in 2021 to bolster its fight against insurgents. The country also has pending deliveries of Chinese-made Wing Loong II drones.