Nigerian Air Force fleet expansion will add 49 advanced aircraft by 2026, including fighter jets, helicopters, and transport planes to boost air operations

The Nigerian Air Force fleet expansion is set to reach a new milestone with the scheduled acquisition of 49 cutting-edge aircraft by the end of 2026.

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The announcement was made by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, during 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 aviation professionals and military engineers.

Air Marshal Abubakar disclosed that the incoming additions include three CASA 295 transport aircraft, 10 AW-109 Trekker Type B helicopters, 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters, and 24 M-346 fighter jets.

These modern platforms demand extensive technical support and a renewed commitment to high-performance maintenance.

The Nigerian Air Force fleet expansion follows the 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 aircraft, and four Diamond 62 reconnaissance planes.

According to the Air Chief, each of these platforms represents a technological leap requiring an equally advanced engineering response.

“These aircraft are all high-tech platforms that require very sophisticated maintenance activities to operate effectively,” Air Marshal Abubakar noted.

He urged NAF personnel to adopt a forward-thinking approach rooted in data-driven and innovative engineering practices.

He further emphasised the importance of capacity building, stating that the rapid increase in air assets must be matched by the expansion of human and logistical support systems.

This, he said, would ensure continuous air power delivery aligned with national security priorities.

“To maintain this progress, we have also invested heavily in logistics, spare parts, and support equipment, targeting full operational readiness by Q4 2025,” the Air Chief added.

During the same event, the Chief of Aircraft Engineering, Air Vice Marshal A.I. Amodu, described engineering as the strategic foundation of Nigeria’s air superiority efforts.

He highlighted the growing need for responsive and adaptable maintenance frameworks in a rapidly evolving security climate.

The Nigerian Air Force fleet expansion not only aims to improve NAF’s combat and reconnaissance capabilities but also reflects a broader push to modernise its support and engineering infrastructure.

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The conference, which continues through the week, serves as a strategic platform to exchange solutions, build networks, and enhance operational reliability across NAF’s technical divisions.