Nigeria is working to acquire 24 M-346FA fighter jets and 10 AW-109 helicopters from Italy, a landmark deal that signals a major upgrade of its airpower.
The $1.4 billion deal with defense company Leonardo includes training, spare parts and support services to maintain the fleet. At the beginning of 2026, six of the M-346FAs were in advanced stages of production, with three still under flight tests, Business Insider Africa reported.
Italian sources said that once completed, Nigeria’s deal will be the largest military procurement investment by a West African nation, The Defense Post website reported.
Nigeria decided to adopt Italian systems as part of its tactical airborne modernization effort in 2021 as some of its aircraft were aging out. In October 2024, Nigerian representatives inspected the first six jets in the aircraft package in Italy and verified manufacturing status, a delivery plan and the opening of a maintenance center in Nigeria to provide service support for the incoming fleet.
The jets will help strengthen Nigeria’s air presence, especially in its ongoing fight against terrorist groups. The country faces a yearslong insurgency in the Northeast, along with bandits in the Northwest and unrest in the country’s Middle Belt.
The M-346 twin-engine jets are used as advanced trainers and light combat aircraft. The compact aircraft are 11.5 meters long with a 9.7-meter wingspan. They have a range of about 1,900 kilometers.
The helicopters will be used in part to improve logistics support.