The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has announced that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) will bolster its aerial fleet with the acquisition of 49 cutting-edge aircraft by the end of 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance operational capability and national security.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Aircraft Engineering Conference, held Wednesday at the NAF Headquarters in Abuja, Abubakar said the planned acquisitions underscore the service’s commitment to building a more agile and technologically advanced air force.
Themed “Enhancing Aircraft Serviceability in the NAF through Strong Maintenance Culture and Strategic Partnerships,” the conference gathered top military engineers and stakeholders to chart a path for sustainable aircraft maintenance and fleet readiness.
According to the air chief, the expected additions to the fleet include:
- 3 CASA 295 transport aircraft
- 10 AW-109 Trekker Type B helicopters
- 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters
- 24 M-346 fighter jets
“These are high-tech platforms that require advanced and sophisticated maintenance systems to ensure operational effectiveness,” Abubakar said.
The new acquisitions follow the delivery of 15 brand-new aircraft in the last two years, including six T-129 ATAK helicopters, two AW-109 Trekker Type A helicopters, three Beechcraft King Air planes, and four Diamond 62 reconnaissance aircraft.
Abubakar emphasized the need for NAF engineers and technicians to adopt innovative, data-driven maintenance approaches to keep pace with modern aviation demands.
“In the last two years, the NAF has achieved significant milestones in operational capability. However, these gains must be sustained through robust maintenance and logistics systems,” he said.
He noted that the Air Force has made substantial investments in spare parts, logistics, and ground support equipment to ensure all operable aircraft are fully serviceable by the fourth quarter of 2025.
Also speaking at the event, the Chief of Aircraft Engineering, Air Vice Marshal A.I. Amodu, described aircraft engineering as the “backbone” of air force operations, stressing the importance of a proactive maintenance culture in responding to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
He said the conference provides a strategic platform for knowledge exchange, innovation, and collaboration, with the goal of reinforcing excellence in aircraft engineering and enhancing the NAF’s overall mission readiness.
