- 50 More Expected
By Abiola Olawale
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced the acquisition of 12 new fighter aircraft for the operational capabilities of the Air Force.
The NAF said the latest expansion of its fleet features a diverse array of aircraft designed to enhance operational capabilities.
This includes two state-of-the-art King Air 360i light transport aircraft, renowned for their versatility and efficiency in various missions. Additionally, the fleet is bolstered by four agile T-129 ATAK helicopters, specifically designed for tactical operations and equipped with advanced weaponry.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, made this revelation on Saturday during a parley with NAF Veteran residents in Kaduna.
He added that moving forward, the NAF is poised to take delivery of 24 M-346 fighter aircraft and 10 additional Agusta Westland 109 Trekker helicopters from Italy.
He also mentioned that additional platforms expected include two T-129 ATAK helicopters from Turkey, three CASA 295 transport aircraft from Spain, and twelve AH-1Z Viper helicopters from the U.S. The NAF is also set to receive 50 new aircraft between December 2025 and 2026.
He stated: “Overhauling of airfield infrastructure, enhancement of operational effectiveness, the establishment of new branches and directorates, adoption of predictive maintenance culture, research and development, boosting strategic partnerships, enhancing welfare, and infrastructural renewal.
“The Nigerian Air Force is committed to becoming a more effective and agile force capable of addressing the country’s security challenges.
“We have made significant progress in the last 18 months, and we are committed to sustaining this momentum. The acquisition of the new aircraft is a testament to our commitment to becoming a more effective and agile force.”
He added:”The NAF has delivered an additional 12 new platforms, each infusing unique capabilities to our ongoing operations. These include 2 King Air 360i light transport aircraft, 4 T-129 ATAK helicopters, 2 Agusta Westland 109 Trekker and 4 DA-62 surveillance aircraft.
“The NAF is poised to take delivery of 24 M-346 fighter aircraft and 10 additional Agusta Westland 109 Trekker helicopters from Italy.
“Other platforms being expected were two additional T-129 ATAK helicopters from Turkey, 3 CASA 295 transport aircraft from Spain and 12 AH-1Z Vipper helicopters from the United States.
“In other words, the Nigerian Air Force will take additional delivery of 50 brand new aircraft between December this year and 2026.
“We have shifted towards predictive maintenance, which enables us to assess the condition of our aircraft and other equipment and anticipate and schedule maintenance ahead of time.”
