The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) experts, led by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, along with officials from the Ministries of Defence and Finance have reached the agreement to acquire 34 additional aircraft from Messrs Leonardo from Italy.
The agreement was reached during a Programme Management Review Meeting in Italy with Messrs Leonardo s.p.a.
NAF spokesman, Air Cdre Olusola Akinboyewa in a statement said the meeting aimed to finalize arrangements for the NAF’s acquisition of 24 M-346 Fighter Ground Attack (FGA) jets as well as an additional 10 AW-109 Trekker helicopters to the two already procured by the NAF.
Akinboyewa said the team also inspected the first batch of six M-346 jets, noting that three are nearing completion, and evaluated vital support systems required to boost the NAF’s operational readiness.
The statement said CAS received updates on the delivery schedules in the review meeting, confirming that the first three units of 24 M-346 aircraft to be built for Nigeria are expected by early 2025, with subsequent deliveries running until mid-2026.
He said the CAS made a strategic stopover at the Leonardo Headquarters in Rome while in Italy, where he engaged with top executives to consolidate a long-term partnership between the NAF and the company.
The Air Chief recommended the establishment of a Programme Management Office to oversee the collaboration and ensure smooth project implementation.
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