Nigeria’s air power push took a decisive step forward as the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar, inspected the production of advanced helicopters and fighter jets at Leonardo S.p.A. facilities in Italy.
The move reinforces the country’s commitment to modernizing its armed forces and strengthening international defence partnerships.
The Minister, as part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s high-level delegation to the AQABA Process meeting, visited two key sites: the Leonardo Helicopters Division in Vergiate and the Leonardo Aircraft Division in Venegono.
These sites are assembling AW109 Trekker attack helicopters and M-346 Fighter Attack Jets for the Nigerian Air Force.
At the helicopter division, Badaru inspected the production line of ten AW109 Trekker helicopters. Three units are fully completed and ready for delivery, three more will follow before the end of 2025, and the final four are expected in early 2026.
The visit then moved to the fighter jet division, where six out of twenty-four M-346 jets are in advanced production stages, with three already undergoing flight tests. Full delivery will come in four tranches of six aircraft each, including armaments, support equipment, spare parts, and training.
Badaru praised the progress and quality of work, commending Leonardo’s technical team.
“These aircraft are critical to boosting the Nigerian Air Force’s operational capability. This investment is not just about equipment, but about projecting Nigeria’s readiness and resilience,” he stated.
The visit reflects the Tinubu administration’s focus on strategic defence acquisitions, joint training, and international partnerships to secure Nigeria’s airspace and deepen the capabilities of its armed forces
