Nigerian Air Force to Acquire 49 New Aircraft by 2026

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar has revealed that the Nigerian Air Force will acquire 49 state-of-the-art aircraft by 2026. He made the revelation while speaking at the opening of the 2025 Aircraft Engineering Conference held at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) headquarters in Abuja. Abubakar said the incoming aircraft will include three CASA 295 transport planes, 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,” the Air Marshal stated during his address at the event themed, Enhancing Aircraft Serviceability in the NAF through Strong Maintenance Culture and Strategic Partnerships. He underscored the need for NAF personnel to adopt advanced, innovative, and data-driven maintenance practices, stressing that the expansion in operational capability must be backed by robust engineering and logistics support 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,” Abubakar said. He added that significant investments have already been made in logistics infrastructure, spare parts, and ground support tools to ensure that all operable aircraft are fully serviceable by the fourth quarter of 2025. Chief of Aircraft Engineering, Air Vice Marshal A.I. Amodu, also spoke at the event, describing aircraft engineering as “the backbone that supports the NAF’s mission and objectives.” He said the rapidly evolving security landscape demanded a proactive and responsive approach to aircraft maintenance, and emphasized the importance of the annual conference as a platform for exchanging ideas, refining strategies, and promoting a culture of engineering excellence. In addition to the planned acquisitions, the NAF has taken delivery of 15 new aircraft in the last two years. These include six T-129 ATAK helicopters, two AW-109 Trekker Type A helicopters, three Beechcraft King Air surveillance aircraft, and four Diamond 62 reconnaissance planes.