By Joy Odor, Abuja
Nigeria’s military modernization has entered high gear as the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, CON, mni, on Friday inspected the production of advanced combat aircraft and helicopters being built for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) at Leonardo S.p.A’s top-tier facilities in Northern Italy.
The inspection, conducted during his official visit to Italy as part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s high-level delegation to the AQABA Process meeting, marked a critical milestone in the administration’s drive to rebuild Nigeria’s air power and strengthen national defence capability.
At Leonardo’s Helicopter Division in Vergiate, Badaru reviewed the assembly line of the AW109 Trekker attack helicopters being custom-built for the Nigerian Air Force.
Out of the ten units ordered, three are fully completed and ready for delivery, another three will be completed before the end of 2025, while the remaining four will be delivered in early 2026.
He then proceeded to the Leonardo Aircraft Division in Venegono, where engineers are assembling M-346 Fighter Attack Jets—part of Nigeria’s ambitious plan to upgrade its combat fleet.
Six of the twenty-four jets ordered are already at advanced stages of production, with three undergoing flight tests. The remaining three are expected to begin testing soon.
The 24 fighter jets will be delivered in four tranches of six aircraft each, complete with advanced weapon systems, support equipment, spare parts, and comprehensive training and logistics packages.
Badaru praised Leonardo’s technical precision and commitment to delivery timelines, describing the ongoing projects as “a symbol of Nigeria’s renewed strength and preparedness.”
“The professionalism and high standards I’ve seen here today assure me that our armed forces are getting world-class equipment built to specification,” he said. “This is a major step in modernizing Nigeria’s defence and ensuring our forces remain combat-ready.”
He emphasized that the Tinubu administration remains fully committed to strengthening Nigeria’s military capacity through cutting-edge technology, strategic international partnerships, and intensive training of personnel.
The Minister’s visit aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Defence Agenda, which prioritizes the revitalization of Nigeria’s defence industry, improvement of troop welfare, and acquisition of next-generation military hardware to confront emerging security threats across the nation.
The inspection also demonstrates the government’s resolve to deepen defence diplomacy and ensure accountability and transparency in military procurement.
“Nigeria must never again be caught unprepared,” Badaru affirmed. “We are investing in air power that protects our sovereignty, secures our people, and projects confidence on the global stage.”
Bottom Line:
With thirty high-performance combat aircraft nearing delivery, Nigeria’s air power is on the verge of a historic leap.
The Tinubu administration’s defence push is not just about hardware, it’s about restoring confidence, deterrence, and the capacity to protect every inch of Nigerian airspace.
