- The Nigerian Air Force is ramping up its firepower.
On Wednesday, Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar announced that the NAF plans to expand its fleet with 49 new aircraft by 2026. He made the disclosure during the opening of the 2025 Aircraft Engineering Conference, held at the NAF Headquarters in Abuja.
This year’s conference was themed: “Enhancing Aircraft Serviceability in the NAF through Strong Maintenance Culture and Strategic Partnerships.”
Over the last two years, the Air Force has taken delivery of 15 brand-new aircraft, including six T-129 ATAK helicopters, two AW-109 Trekker Type A helicopters, three Beechcraft King Air planes, and four Diamond 62 reconnaissance aircraft. Now, the NAF is pushing even further, with plans to acquire an additional 49 aircraft. The new additions will include three CASA 295 transport aircraft, 10 AW-109 Trekker Type B helicopters, 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters, and 24 M-346 fighter jets.
“These aircraft are all high-tech platforms that require very sophisticated maintenance activities to operate effectively,” Abubakar said.
He emphasized the importance of matching the Air Force’s rising operational capability with robust maintenance and logistics systems.
“In the last two years, NAF has reached new heights in operational capability. But this progress must be matched by robust support systems to ensure sustained air power delivery in pursuit of national security goals,” he said.
Abubakar also revealed that the Air Force had invested heavily in logistics, spare parts, and ground support tools. The goal, he said, is to ensure that all aircraft in its inventory are fully serviceable by the fourth quarter of 2025.
Chief of Aircraft Engineering, Air Vice Marshal A.I. Amodu, also spoke at the event. He described aircraft engineering as “the backbone that supports the NAF’s mission and objectives.”
As the NAF sets its sights on modernization and readiness, this latest acquisition drive signals a clear message: Nigeria’s skies are getting stronger.
