Africa Map

African Press Agency

African Press Agency Logo
   

 Home
 Country Profile
 Useful Links
 Contact us

Home

Nigeria/Italy/JetsBack
[Published: Monday October 14 2024]

 Nigerian air force expands fleet with 34 Italian jets, helicopters

 
By Camillus Eboh
 
ABUJA, 14 Oct. - (ANA) - Nigeria's air force is acquiring 24 Italian-made M-346 attack jets and ten AW-109 Trekker helicopters as part of a fleet renewal strategy, a spokesperson said on Monday.
 
Air Force spokesperson Olusola Akinboyewa said in a statement that a team led by Nigeria's Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar met with executives from Italy's Leonardo S.p.A. (LDOF.MI) the manufacturer, in Rome who confirmed the first three M-346 aircraft were expected to be delivered by early 2025, with subsequent deliveries running until mid-2026.
 
The Trekker helicopters are expected by early 2026, Akinboyewa said.
 
"The M-346 and Trekker acquisitions are key steps towards fleet renewal," Abubakar was cited as saying, emphasizing the need for a maintenance hub in Nigeria to provide long-term support, particularly for the M-346 fleet.
 
Nigeria has ramped up military spending in recent years as it struggles to contain attacks by armed bandits in the northwest and a 15-year Islamist insurgency against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the northeast.
 
In June, Nigeria took delivery of two "Huey" helicopters, in addition to two Trekkers it already acquired and 12 American-made A-29 Super Tucano light attack jets it received in 2021 to fight insurgents.
 
It has pending deliveries for Chinese-made Wing Loong II drones.   - (ANA) -
 
AB/ANA/14 October 2024 - - -
 
 
 

North South News website

Advertise banner

News icon Israel/Gaza Massacre
News icon Trump/Foreign Policy
News icon Ireland/Elections
News icon China/Rocket
News icon Stress/Relief
News icon EU/Climate
News icon Eurojust/Drug Traffickers
News icon COP29/IFAD
News icon OECD/Life
News icon Mozambique/Human Rights

AFRICAN PRESS AGENCY Copyright © 2005 - 2007