FG Set to Acquire 24 Fighter Jets From Italy
The Nigerian government is prepared to acquire a minimum of 24 fighter jets from Italy’s Leonardo to bolster the nation’s air force, as announced by Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Air Force, on Friday.
The aircraft are scheduled to be delivered in four batches, consisting of six jets per batch.
The Air Force said. “Africa’s most populous nation will receive the first six M-346 fighter aircraft before the end of the year.”
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The news came after Claudio Sabatino, Vice President of Leonardo, visited Nigeria’s air force chief in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to the Air Force statement, Leonardo will provide a minimum of 25 years of maintenance support. Nigeria seeks to enhance its capability to counter insurgency, particularly in the northeast, where Boko Haram militants and the Islamic State regional affiliate operate. Additionally, kidnapping and banditry are widespread across the country.
