Nigeria is set to significantly upgrade its air power with the acquisition of 24 M-346 fighter jets from Italy under a major defence agreement with Italian aerospace and defence company, Leonardo.
The contract, finalized in November 2023 and valued at approximately €1.2 billion, ranks as the largest military aircraft procurement in West Africa. In addition to the aircraft, the deal includes a long-term logistics package that grants Leonardo exclusive responsibility for maintenance and technical support for a period of 25 years.
The M-346 is a multi-role combat aircraft designed for both training and operational missions. It is equipped with seven hardpoints capable of carrying a variety of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons. The platform also supports advanced targeting pods that can be integrated with helmet-mounted display systems, improving pilot awareness and precision during combat operations.
Production of the first batch of jets is already underway in Italy. Delivery is expected to begin in 2025, with three aircraft scheduled to arrive that year. The remaining jets will be supplied in phases, with full delivery projected to be completed by mid-2026.
At the time the agreement was announced, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, said the aircraft would significantly enhance the Nigerian Air Force’s training capacity while expanding its ability to conduct operations across multiple mission environments.
Military analysts believe the introduction of the M-346 fleet will strengthen Nigeria’s air combat readiness and improve its response to evolving security threats. The jets are expected to play a key role in counter-insurgency operations in the Northeast, where Nigerian forces continue to confront Boko Haram and Islamic State–affiliated groups.
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Beyond counter-terrorism efforts, the new aircraft are also expected to support wider internal security operations, including efforts to curb kidnapping and banditry in other regions of the country.
