As reported by the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero, the long-planned long-planned purchase of the Leonardo M-346FA light combat aircraft for the Nigerian Air Force has been effective since November 17. Nigeria is therefore procuring six M-346FAs in the basic version without armament. Financing is being provided via a loan of around 450 million euros guaranteed by SACE through three Italian banks.
The credit line runs until April 17, 2037 and is linked to the 6-month Euribor (currently around 2.1 percent) plus 170 basis points.
In Italy, SACE enables the hedging of credit risks in the context of export promotion – an organization comparable to the Austrian Kontrollbank in terms of banking technology. African media reported back in October 2024 that the Nigerian cabinet had approved a credit facility worth EUR 443.3 million for six companies in Italy run by Leonardo manufactured in Italy and a further 121 million euros for ammunition.
The Nigerian government has fulfilled all conditions precedent and transferred the first installment of the SACE premium in the amount of 8.9 million euros on November 17. The contract for six aircraft includes options for up to 24 further aircraft. According to Il Messaggero, deliveries are scheduled to begin on October 17, 2026.
The Chief of Staff of the Nigerian Air Force, Hasan Abubakar, emphasized that these procurements were part of a comprehensive modernization of the fleet and a strengthening of operational capability under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
On Friday, October 17, 2025, the Minister of Defence, conducted an inspection of Leonardo S.p.A defence production facilities in Vergiate and Venegono, Northern Italy, as part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s official visit to Italy for the AQABA Process Meeting in Rome.
At the… pic.twitter.com/1yUOFimK5N
– Jake (@Jakepor21) October 18, 2025
M-346 basic version versus Austrian Block 20 configuration
The basic version intended for Nigeria differs significantly from the version used by the Austrian Armed Forces recently fixed Block 20 variant. While Austria will use the M-346FA primarily as a jet trainer at the top international level level – with a secondary role in national defense as part of a networked European operational environment – Nigeria is pursuing a different focus: the jets are primarily used there for close air-to-ground support in the fight against Islamist terrorist groups. These so-called COIN (counter-insurgency) missions are directed against irregular actors such as terrorist organizations, militias or mercenaries.
I am heartbroken by the abduction of our daughters in Kebbi and the painful loss of Brigadier General Musa Uba and the brave soldiers who fell in Borno. Their families, and the families of the kidnapped schoolgirls, are in my prayers.
As the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed…
– Bola Ahmed Tinubu (@officialABAT) November 19, 2025
Nigeria regularly struggles with security challenges such as kidnappings and attacks by non-state armed groups.
Alpha Jet still in use – and under pressure
The new M-346FAs are intended to replace the outdated Alpha Jets in the long term. As Nigeria cannot immediately afford the originally desired 24 Leonardo jets, parallel efforts are being made to keep several Alpha jets airworthy.
At the end of 2024, the Nigerian Air Force acquired twelve former French Alpha Jets from SOFEMA. According to local media, six were restored to airworthy condition and put into operation, while the remaining six serve as spare parts donors. The Alpha Jets can carry a variety of weapons – bombs, missiles, guided missiles – and have a weapons container for close air support.
Nigeria procured 24 Alpha Jet Es in the 1980s; today, around a dozen aircraft are probably still operational.
Alpha jet crash in Nigeria
During a technical inspection flight at Kainji Air Force Base on December 6, 2025, two Alpha Jet pilots had to eject. The head of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, praised the pilots for their courage, discipline and level-headed actions. The crew had deliberately maneuvered the aircraft away from populated areas after take-off before ejecting safely.
The Air Force also acknowledged the quick and professional response of search and rescue teams, firefighters, emergency personnel and medics who quickly secured the area and cared for the crew. Air Marshal Aneke ordered the establishment of a commission of inquiry.
Here for more news about Leonardo and here for more news about the Nigerian armed forces.
