The Nigerian Air Power is about to amass one other set of fighter jets and helicopters to spice up its fight capabilities.
The plane are 24 M-346 Fighter Floor Assault jets and 10 AW-109 Trekker helicopters.
The service had in June disclosed that it could purchase 50 new plane to strengthen its capabilities towards armed gangs and terrorists.
Already, the service within the final two years had taken supply of 12 Tremendous Tucano, two extra DA-62 surveillance plane and T-129 ATAK helicopters, two Diamond-62 Multi-Goal plane, amongst others.
In a press release on Sunday, the Director of Public Relations and Data, Nigerian Air Power, Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa, stated the Chief of Air Employees, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, together with officers from the Ministries of Defence and Finance had been in Italy to finalise the acquisition of the jets.
Akinboyewa stated, “A group of NAF consultants, led by the Chief of the Air Employees, together with officers from the Ministries of Defence and Finance, lately participated in a Programme Administration Overview Assembly in Italy with Messrs Leonardo S.P.A.
“The assembly aimed to finalise preparations for the NAF’s acquisition of 24 M-346 Fighter Floor Assault jets in addition to a further 10 AW-109 Trekker helicopters to the 2 already procured by the NAF.”
Akinboyewa famous that the Nigeria delegation on the assembly was informed that three of the 24 M-346 can be delivered by early 2025, whereas subsequent deliveries would run via mid-2026.
He stated, “Within the Overview Assembly, the CAS acquired updates on the supply schedules, confirming that the primary 3 items of 24 M-346 plane to be constructed for Nigeria are anticipated by early 2025, with subsequent deliveries operating till mid-2026. In the meantime, with two Trekkers already acquired, the extra 10 are anticipated by early 2026.”
Akinboyewa stated the Air Chief additionally inspected the six M-346 jets earlier bought by the service from Leonardo, including that three of the jets had been virtually accomplished.
He stated, “Whereas in Italy, the CAS made a strategic stopover on the Leonardo Headquarters in Rome, the place he engaged with high executives to consolidate a long-term partnership between the NAF and the corporate.
“He additionally inspected the primary batch of six M-346 jets, noting that three are nearing completion, and evaluated key assist methods required to spice up the NAF’s operational readiness. He additionally burdened the necessity for a upkeep hub in Nigeria to supply long-term assist, particularly for the M-346 fleet.”
Akinboyewa famous that the M-346 jets have superior options able to each air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
He added that the M-346 would considerably strengthen Nigeria’s air fight capabilities.
Akinboyewa additionally stated the AW-109 would bolster fight assist roles comparable to Fight Search and Rescue, tactical airlift and Medical Evacuation amongst others.
“The M-346 and Trekker acquisitions are key steps in direction of fleet renewal, in consonance with the CAS Command Philosophy to remodel the NAF for better agility and resilience, with emphasis on the optimization of pressure construction and institution for enhanced operational effectiveness,” he added.
