Nigeria has taken a major step to strengthen its air combat capability with the purchase of 24 M-346FA fighter aircraft from Italy, marking the largest single acquisition of military jets by any country in West Africa.
The deal, reached with Italian aerospace and defence firm Leonardo S.p.A., is valued at about €1.2bn and includes not only the aircraft but also maintenance packages and long-term logistical support, underscoring a focus on sustained operational readiness.
According to a report by Business Inside Africa on Tuesday, the acquisition forms a central part of Nigeria’s ongoing military modernisation drive aimed at boosting the capacity of the Nigerian Air Force.
The purchase follows earlier approval by the Federal Executive Council for a $618m borrowing plan to support the acquisition of Italian-made M-346 attack jets and associated munitions.
Nigeria’s decision comes amid mounting internal security challenges across several regions of the country. Authorities continue to battle a long-running jihadist insurgency in the North-East, escalating banditry and kidnappings in the North-West, and recurring communal violence in parts of the Middle Belt.
Security analysts say these threats have stretched military resources and disrupted economic activities, increasing the urgency for enhanced air support and precision strike capabilities.
Officials believe the M-346FA aircraft will significantly improve surveillance, close-air support and combat operations, providing greater flexibility for security forces responding to insurgent and criminal groups.
The acquisition is also unfolding against a tense regional security environment. Recently, Nigerian troops participated in an operation in neighbouring Benin following an attempted coup in which mutinous soldiers briefly seized strategic locations in Cotonou.
That deployment, carried out at the request of Benin’s government and approved by Nigeria’s Senate, helped restore constitutional order and highlighted Nigeria’s capacity to project military power beyond its borders.
The choice of Italy as a defence partner reflects a broader shift in Nigeria’s procurement strategy. By engaging Italian manufacturers, Nigeria appears to be seeking modern platforms, competitive pricing and stronger after-sales support, while reducing reliance on traditional suppliers from the United States, Russia and China.
Observers say the jet purchase signals Abuja’s intent to play a more assertive security role at home and within the West African sub-region.
