Nigeria has completed the acquisition of 24 M-346FA light fighter aircraft from Italy, marking the largest single military aircraft purchase ever recorded by a West African nation and a major milestone in the country’s defence modernisation drive.

The deal, valued at approximately €1.2 billion, was signed with Italian aerospace and defence company Leonardo S.p.A. and includes long-term maintenance, logistics, and operational support. Beyond the aircraft themselves, the agreement underscores Nigeria’s intent to build a sustainable air combat capability rather than a short-term expansion of hardware.

Production of the jets is already underway in Italy. The first batch of six aircraft is expected to arrive from early 2025, with phased deliveries continuing through mid-2026. According to defence sources, three of the initial jets are scheduled for delivery in the first tranche, allowing the Nigerian Air Force to begin early integration and pilot conversion.

A Strategic Upgrade For The Nigerian Air Force

The M-346FA is a multirole light fighter designed for air-to-ground attack, reconnaissance, and air policing, with advanced avionics, precision-strike capability, and integrated sensor systems. For Nigeria, the platform offers a balance between cost efficiency and operational versatility, particularly suited to counter-insurgency and internal security operations.

This acquisition forms part of a broader military modernisation programme that also includes new helicopters and support systems, aimed at expanding the Nigerian Air Force’s operational reach and responsiveness.

Business Insider Africa previously reported that Nigeria’s cabinet approved a $618 million borrowing plan to finance an initial purchase of six M-346 aircraft and associated munitions. The expanded order of 24 jets represents a significant scaling-up of that earlier plan.

Security Pressures Driving Procurement

The timing of the deal reflects Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges. The country continues to confront a prolonged jihadist insurgency in the Northeast, widespread banditry and kidnapping in the Northwest, and persistent communal violence across the Middle Belt. These overlapping crises have strained military resources, displaced millions, and weighed heavily on economic activity and investor confidence.

The enhanced surveillance and precision-strike capabilities of the M-346FA fleet are intended to improve Nigeria’s ability to respond rapidly to these threats while reducing reliance on ageing platforms.

Regional Role and Cross-Border Dynamics

Nigeria’s military expansion is also unfolding within a volatile regional context. In recent months, Nigerian forces intervened in a coup attempt in neighbouring Benin after mutinous soldiers briefly seized strategic installations in Cotonou.

Acting at the request of Benin’s government and with authorisation from Nigeria’s Senate, Nigerian air and ground units helped restore constitutional order.

The operation reinforced Nigeria’s long-standing role as a regional security anchor at a time when coups and political instability continue to spread across parts of the Sahel and coastal West Africa.

A Shift in Defence Partnerships

Nigeria’s decision to source its latest combat aircraft from Italy signals a recalibration of its defence procurement strategy. Italian defence manufacturers are increasingly viewed as offering modern, reliable systems that are comparatively cost-effective and accompanied by stronger maintenance and technology-transfer frameworks.

The move also reflects an effort to diversify away from heavy dependence on traditional suppliers such as the United States, Russia, and China, while reducing procurement delays and strengthening ties with European partners.

As deliveries begin and the new aircraft enter service, the coming year is expected to be pivotal for Nigeria’s internal security posture and its standing as a leading military power in West Africa.