Nigeria has concluded a landmark procurement deal for 24 Italian-built M-346FA fighter jets from Leonardo S.p.A., valued at approximately €1.2 billion. This purchase marks the largest single military aircraft acquisition in West African history and is central to the Nigerian Air Force’s (NAF) major modernization drive.

The deal includes long-term maintenance and support for the fleet, signaling a strategic shift to diversify Nigeria’s defense procurement away from traditional suppliers and deepen ties with European partners. The acquisition is designed to enhance the NAF’s air combat, surveillance, and precision-strike capabilities to counter the nation’s persistent and complex internal security crises, including the decade-long jihadist insurgency and widespread banditry.

The delivery schedule is aggressive, with the first three jets expected by early 2025 and full delivery continuing through mid-2026. The procurement comes as Nigeria asserts its role as a regional security guarantor, recently authorizing the deployment of air and ground units to intervene in a coup attempt in neighboring Benin.