Nigeria is preparing to take delivery of 24 M-346 fighter aircraft from Italy following a major defence procurement agreement signed in November 2023.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) entered into the deal with Leonardo, a leading Italian defence manufacturer, in a contract estimated at about €1.2 billion. The acquisition is regarded as the largest single military aircraft purchase in West Africa.

Beyond the aircraft themselves, the agreement includes a 25-year logistics and support package, with Leonardo retaining exclusive responsibility for maintenance and technical operations throughout the period.

The M-346 jets are designed with seven external hardpoints and can be configured to carry both air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions, as well as targeting pods linked to helmet-mounted display systems.

Production of the first batch is already underway in Italy. Six aircraft are currently being built, with three expected to be delivered in 2025. Full delivery of the fleet is scheduled to continue through mid-2026.

Speaking at the time of the purchase, then Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, said the aircraft would significantly enhance pilot training while also improving the Air Force’s operational capacity across a range of mission profiles.

The acquisition forms part of Nigeria’s wider strategy to strengthen national security, particularly in the fight against insurgency in the northeast, as well as ongoing operations against banditry, kidnapping, and other internal security threats across the country.