Nigeria has finalized the purchase of 24 M-346FA fighter aircraft from Italy, marking a landmark moment in West African military aviation. The €1.2 billion agreement represents one of the most significant defense acquisitions ever made by Nigeria and underscores its intent to modernize air power amid complex security challenges.
The deal, concluded with Italy’s aerospace and defense sector, includes not only the aircraft but also comprehensive maintenance, training, and long-term support services. Officials say this integrated package is designed to ensure operational readiness and sustainability over decades, rather than a short-term boost in capability.
Initial production of the M-346FA jets has already begun, according to sources familiar with the program. Deliveries are scheduled to start in early 2025 and continue through mid-2026, allowing the Nigerian Air Force to gradually induct the aircraft while training pilots, technicians, and ground crews.
The M-346FA is a light fighter and advanced trainer platform capable of both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. Equipped with modern avionics, radar systems, and precision-guided munitions, the aircraft is well-suited for surveillance, close air support, and strike operations in challenging environments.
Nigeria’s defense planners view the acquisition as a critical response to persistent security threats across the country. These include a long-running Islamist insurgency in the northeast, armed banditry in the northwest, separatist tensions in the southeast, and recurring communal clashes in central regions.
Air power has played an increasingly important role in Nigeria’s internal security operations, particularly in providing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. The addition of the M-346FA is expected to enhance the air force’s ability to respond rapidly to emerging threats while reducing reliance on aging platforms.
Beyond combat capability, the aircraft also offers advanced training functions. Analysts note that the dual-role nature of the M-346FA allows Nigeria to streamline pilot training while maintaining combat readiness, a cost-effective solution for air forces balancing limited budgets with expanding missions.
The agreement also signals deepening defense ties between Nigeria and Italy. Italian industry involvement is expected to extend beyond delivery, with ongoing technical support and potential knowledge transfer that could strengthen Nigeria’s domestic maintenance and logistics capacity over time.
Regionally, the purchase positions Nigeria as a leading air power in West Africa. While several neighboring countries have invested in helicopters and light attack aircraft, Nigeria’s acquisition of advanced fighter jets sets a new benchmark for aerial capability in the subregion.
Security experts caution, however, that hardware alone will not resolve Nigeria’s complex conflicts. Effective coordination with ground forces, intelligence agencies, and civil authorities remains essential to translating advanced air assets into lasting stability on the ground.
Still, the M-346FA deal reflects a broader strategic shift toward modernization and professionalism within the Nigerian Air Force. As the first jets arrive in 2025, expectations will be high that the investment delivers tangible improvements in security and national defense.
