The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a loan of approximately $618 million from a consortium of financiers for the acquisition of six Italian-made M-346 attack jets and accompanying ammunition for the Nigerian Air Force. This announcement was made on Wednesday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
According to the Air Force, the first three jets are expected to arrive by early 2025, with the rest to be delivered by mid-2026. This acquisition is part of Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to modernize its air fleet. Last week, the Nigerian Air Force revealed plans to acquire a total of 24 M-346 attack jets and ten AW-109 Trekker helicopters as part of its fleet renewal strategy.
Air Force spokesperson Olusola Akinboyewa confirmed that a Nigerian delegation, led by Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, recently met with executives from Leonardo S.p.A., the jets’ manufacturer, in Rome. The first discussions between Nigeria and Leonardo began in early 2024, following a meeting in Abuja between Nigeria’s air force chief and Claudio Sabatino, Vice President of Leonardo.
