By Smart Emmanuel
Nigeria says it will procure 34 fighter helicopters to bolster its combat capabilities and operational efficiency. This is coming amid wave of rising insurgency in the country.
Director Public Relations and Information of Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, who announced this in a statement, said, among the fighter helicopters to be procured are 24 M-346 Fighter Ground Attack jets and 10 AW-109 Trekker helicopters.
The NAF had, in the last two years, taken delivery of 12 Super Tucano, two DA-62 surveillance aircraft and T-129 ATAK helicopters, and two Diamond-62 Multi-Purpose aircraft.
“A team of NAF experts, led by the Chief of the Air Staff, along with officials from the Ministries of Defence and Finance, recently participated in a Programme Management Review Meeting in Italy with Messrs Leonardo S.P.A.” he said, adding that, “The meeting aimed to finalise arrangements for the NAF’s acquisition of 24 M-346 Fighter Ground Attack jets as well as an additional 10 AW-109 Trekker helicopters to the two already procured by the NAF,” Akinboyewa said in a statement issued Sunday in Abuja.
The statement said the Nigeria delegation was assured that three of the 24 M-346 would be delivered by early 2025, while subsequent deliveries would run through mid-2026.
The NAF spokesman said: “In the Review Meeting, the CAS received updates on the delivery schedules, confirming that the first 3 units of 24 M-346 aircraft to be built for Nigeria are expected by early 2025, with subsequent deliveries running until mid-2026. Meanwhile, with two Trekkers already acquired, the additional 10 are expected by early 2026.”
“While in Italy, the CAS made a strategic stopover at the Leonardo Headquarters in Rome, where he engaged with top executives to consolidate a long-term partnership between the NAF and the company.
“He also inspected the first batch of six M-346 jets, noting that 3 are nearing completion, and evaluated key support systems required to boost the NAF’s operational readiness. He also stressed the need for a maintenance hub in Nigeria to provide long-term support, especially for the M-346 fleet.” Akinboyewa added.
While stating that the M-346 jets have advanced features capable of both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, he said the M-346 would strengthen Nigeria’s air combat capabilities.
Also, Akinboyewa said, the AW-109 would further boost the combat support roles such as Combat Search and Rescue, tactical airlift and Medical Evacuation amongst others.
The statement added: “The M-346 and Trekker acquisitions are key steps towards fleet renewal, in consonance with the CAS Command Philosophy to transform the NAF for greater agility and resilience, with emphasis on the optimization of force structure and establishment for enhanced operational effectiveness.”
