Nigerian Air Force to acquire 10 new fighter jets by 2026

The Nigerian Air Force is expecting to receive additional Trekker fighter jets by 2026 a statement from the Air Force public relations officer has revealed.

Hasan Abubakar, the chief of air staff led a delegation of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) officials to Italy to finalise the acquisition of fighter jets and helicopters from aerospace company Leonardo S.p.A.

The delegation, which included representatives from the ministries of Defence and Finance, secured the purchase of 24 M-346 Fighter Ground Attack (FGA) jets and 10 additional AW-109 Trekker helicopters.

According to Olusola Akinboyewa, NAF’s director of public relations and information, the Air Force has already acquired two AW-109 Trekker helicopters. He noted Abubakar, made a strategic visit to Leonardo’s headquarters in Rome, where he held discussions with top executives to strengthen a long-term partnership between the NAF and the company.

Abubakar also inspected the first batch of six M-346 jets, with three nearing completion, and assessed key support systems aimed at enhancing the NAF’s operational capacity.

He said, “In the Review Meeting, the CAS received updates on the delivery schedules, confirming that the first three units of 24 M-346 aircraft to be built for Nigeria are expected by early 2025, with subsequent deliveries running until mid-2026.”

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“Meanwhile, with 2 Trekkers already acquired, the additional 10 are expected by early 2026.”

“The CAS recommended the establishment of a programme management office to oversee the collaboration and ensure smooth project implementation.”

“He also stressed the need for a maintenance hub in Nigeria to provide long-term support, especially for the M-346 fleet,”

The NAF spokesman reported that the firm’s Aircraft Division conducted an aerial demonstration of the M-346 to highlight its advanced capabilities during the visit. He explained that the M-346, designed for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, would significantly enhance Nigeria’s air combat capabilities.

He also noted that the AW-109 would reinforce combat support roles such as Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), tactical airlift, and Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC), among others.

The spokesman added that the acquisitions of the M-346 and AW-109 Trekker were critical steps in renewing the NAF’s fleet, aligning with the CAS command philosophy, which aims to transform the NAF into a more agile and resilient force by optimising its structure and capabilities for improved operational effectiveness.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.