…reaffirms Tinubu’s commitment to modernising military capabilities
By Nkechi Eze
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has inspected the production lines for the Nigerian Air Force’s new helicopters and fighter jets in Northern Italy, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to enhancing the operational capabilities of the Armed Forces through strategic international partnerships and advanced defence acquisitions.
According to an official statement signed by the Minister’s Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mati Ali, the inspection was part of the Minister’s official engagements during his visit to Italy, where he joined President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the AQABA Process meeting. The Minister’s visit focused on two key facilities operated by Leonardo S.p.A. the Helicopters Division in Vergiate and the Aircraft Division in Venegono, both of which are currently producing advanced platforms for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
At the Leonardo Helicopters Division, Badaru reviewed the ongoing assembly of the AW109 Trekker attack helicopters being produced for the NAF. Out of the ten helicopters under construction, three are fully completed and ready for acceptance and delivery, while another three are expected to be finalized by the end of 2025. The remaining four are scheduled for completion and delivery in early 2026.
The Minister also visited the Leonardo Aircraft Division in Venegono, where he was briefed on the production progress of the M-346 Fighter Attack Jets. Six of the twenty-four aircraft ordered are at advanced stages of assembly, with three already undergoing flight tests and the other three expected to enter the testing phase soon. The full delivery will occur in four tranches of six aircraft each, with each batch to include armaments, support equipment, spare parts, tools, and comprehensive training and logistics support.
Expressing satisfaction with the level of work achieved so far, Badaru commended the professionalism and technical expertise of Leonardo’s engineers and management team, noting that the company’s commitment to quality and delivery timelines reflects Nigeria’s growing defence cooperation with international partners.
He emphasized that the acquisition of the AW109 helicopters and M-346 jets represents a major boost to the Nigerian Air Force’s operational readiness, particularly in tackling emerging security threats and sustaining air dominance across multiple theatres of operation.
The Minister stated that the Tinubu administration remains unwavering in its resolve to build a well-equipped, modern, and combat-ready military capable of safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity. He added that ongoing investments in strategic defence assets, technical training, and joint production initiatives align with the government’s broader goal of enhancing national security through technology transfer and global collaboration.
The visit, according to the statement, further demonstrates the administration’s commitment to modernizing Nigeria’s Armed Forces, fostering international partnerships, and ensuring that the country’s defence infrastructure meets global standards in both capability and efficiency.
