Nigeria is planning to buy 24 fighter jets from the Italian company Leonardo with the aim of modernizing its air force and increasing its ability to counter threats to national security.
The aircraft will arrive in Nigeria in four batches of six aircraft each, with the first six M-346s expected in late 2024. This purchase is part of Nigeria’s broader efforts to strengthen its security, particularly in the northeast of the country where it fights against Boko Haram militants and the Islamic State, but also against kidnappings and banditry spread throughout the country.
Also included in the contract are 25 years of logistical support and Leonardo will have exclusivity for maintenance operations. The M-346FA aircraft has already been sold to Turkmenistan and offers seven external attachment points and can integrate air-to-air and ground-to-air ammunition and sight pods attached to helmet-mounted displays.
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