The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has announced that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) will expand its aerial fleet with the acquisition of 49 state-of-the-art aircraft by the end of 2026.
9am News Nigeria reports that the disclosure was made on Wednesday during the opening of the 2025 Aircraft Engineering Conference held at the NAF Headquarters in Abuja. Themed “Enhancing Aircraft Serviceability in the NAF through Strong Maintenance Culture and Strategic Partnerships,” the conference brought together top military engineers and aviation stakeholders.
Air Marshal Abubakar revealed that the new additions will include three CASA 295 transport aircraft, 10 AW-109 Trekker Type B helicopters, 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters, and 24 M-346 fighter aircraft — all modern, high-tech platforms that demand advanced and data-driven maintenance systems.
The planned acquisition builds on recent progress by the Nigerian Air Force, which has already taken delivery of 15 brand-new aircraft in the past two years. These include six T-129 ATAK helicopters, two AW-109 Trekker Type A helicopters, three Beechcraft King Air aircraft, and four Diamond 62 reconnaissance planes.
“These aircraft are all high-tech platforms that require very sophisticated maintenance activities to operate effectively,” Air Marshal Abubakar said. He stressed the need for NAF personnel to embrace “advanced, innovative, and data-driven aircraft and armament maintenance practices” to keep pace with the growing demands of a modern air force.
According to him, the expanded fleet and increased operational capabilities must be supported by a robust engineering culture and reliable logistics frameworks to ensure sustained air power delivery in pursuit of Nigeria’s national security objectives.
“In the last two years, the 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,” the air chief added.
Air Marshal Abubakar also confirmed that significant investments have been made in logistics, spare parts, and ground support equipment to maintain and upgrade existing aircraft, with a goal of ensuring that all operable platforms remain 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 that supports the NAF’s mission and objectives.” He noted that the evolving security landscape demands a proactive, responsive, and innovative maintenance framework.
He emphasized that the engineering conference provides a crucial platform for sharing ideas, developing new strategies, and reinforcing a strong maintenance culture that will directly enhance the Nigerian Air Force’s operational readiness and effectiveness.
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