Nigeria is set to receive 24 M-346 fighter jets from Italy.

In November 2023, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) struck a deal with Messrs Leonardo, an Italian defence company, for the supply of 24 M-346 fighter aircraft.

The deal was reportedly worth around €1.2 billion and is said to be the largest military aircraft acquisition in West Africa.

Also included in the contract are 25 years of logistical support and Leonardo will have exclusivity for maintenance operations.

The aircraft offers seven external attachment points and can integrate air-to-air and ground-to-air ammunition and sight pods attached to helmet-mounted displays.

The first six jets are currently under production in Italy, with three expected to be delivered in 2025 with full deliveries continuing through mid-2026.

Hasan Abubakar, the chief of air staff at the time of the purchase, said the aircraft would bolster training capabilities and augment operational effectiveness in diverse mission scenarios.

This purchase was part of Nigeria’s broader efforts to strengthen its security, particularly in the northeast of the country where it fights against Boko Haram militants and the Islamic State, but also against kidnappings and banditry spread throughout the country.