Nigeria is set to boost its air power significantly with the purchase of 24 M-346FA light fighter jets from Italy in a deal valued at approximately €1.2 billion, marking the largest single military jet acquisition in West Africa.
The agreement, reported on Tuesday by Business Inside Africa, was reached with Italian aerospace and defence company Leonardo S.p.A. and forms part of Nigeria’s ongoing military modernisation programme aimed at strengthening the Nigerian Air Force.
The procurement package includes not only the aircraft but also long-term maintenance, logistics, and technical support, signalling the government’s intent to maintain sustainable combat readiness rather than short-term upgrades. Financing for the acquisition has been approved via a $618 million borrowing plan by the Federal Executive Council, which will also cover munitions for the jets.
The move comes amid escalating internal security challenges, including a protracted jihadist insurgency in the North-East, widespread banditry in the North-West, and recurring communal conflicts in the Middle Belt. Security officials believe the M-346FA jets will enhance aerial surveillance, precision strike capability, and close air support, providing the military with greater operational flexibility against insurgents and criminal groups.
Nigeria’s expanding military footprint is also evident regionally. Recently, Nigerian troops were deployed to Benin to assist in restoring constitutional order after an attempted coup, demonstrating Abuja’s readiness to project power beyond its borders amid rising political instability across West Africa.
Analysts note that choosing Italy as a primary defence supplier reflects a strategic shift in Nigeria’s arms procurement, prioritising modern equipment, competitive pricing, and reliable after-sales support, while gradually reducing dependence on traditional suppliers such as the United States, Russia, and China.
However, the €1.2 billion purchase is expected to spark debate over government spending priorities, as millions of Nigerians continue to face economic hardship, rising debt, and worsening social conditions.
