Nigeria Acquires 24 M-346 Jets, 10 AW-109 Helicopters from Italy

Nigeria's air force has acquired 24 Italian-made M-346 attack jets and 10 AW-109 Trekker helicopters as part of its ongoing fleet renewal strategy.

Air Force spokesperson Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa confirmed this on Monday, following a visit by a Nigerian delegation to Italy's Leonardo S.p.A. headquarters. The delegation was led by Nigeria's Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar.

Akinboyewa stated that the first batch of six M-346 jets has already been inspected, with three aircraft nearing completion and expected to be delivered in 2025. The remaining deliveries will continue through mid-2026. Additionally, two AW-109 Trekker helicopters have already been ordered, with newly-procured ten expected to be handed over to the Nigerian air force by early 2026.

During the visit, Air Marshal Abubakar stressed the importance of establishing a maintenance hub in Nigeria to provide long-term support for the M-346 fleet. He also recommended setting up a Programme Management Office to ensure smooth coordination between Nigeria and Leonardo S.p.A., securing a long-term strategic partnership between the two parties.

The acquisition is part of Nigeria’s broader efforts to modernize its air force, as the country faces ongoing security challenges, including armed bandit attacks in the northwest and a long-standing Islamist insurgency led by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the northeast.

In the past few years, Nigeria has increased its defense spending, purchasing advanced military assets to bolster its fight against insurgents. Recent acquisitions include two Huey helicopters, 12 American-made A-29 Super Tucano light attack jets delivered in 2021, and Chinese-made Wing Loong II drones, with pending deliveries expected.