In a bold show of force and foresight, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the purchase of 24 state-of-the-art M-346FA fighter jets at a cost of €1.2 billion, marking the largest single military aircraft acquisition in West African history.
The deal signals a decisive shift from symbolism to substance in Nigeria’s air power. According to sources familiar with the programme, the first three jets are expected to touch down in early 2025, while the entire fleet will be fully operational by mid-2026.
Far from cosmetic muscle-flexing, the M-346FA is a modern multi-role platform combining air combat capability, advanced surveillance, and precision strike in one agile package. Designed for today’s complex battlefields, the aircraft can hunt targets, gather intelligence, and deliver accurate firepower—day or night.
Security analysts say the acquisition significantly upgrades Nigeria’s capacity to respond to terrorism, banditry, and cross-border threats, while strengthening deterrence across the region. With cutting-edge avionics and weapons integration, the new fleet places the Nigerian Air Force on a higher technological footing.
For President Tinubu, the message is clear: Nigeria is investing in real capability, not headlines. And as the first jets arrive, the skies over Africa’s most populous nation are set to look very different.
Source:@AfricanHub_
