By Atoyebi Nike
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) will add 49 cutting-edge aircraft to its fleet by the end of 2026, Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, announced on Wednesday at the opening of the 2025 Aircraft Engineering Conference in Abuja.
Speaking at the event themed “Enhancing Aircraft Serviceability in the NAF through Strong Maintenance Culture and Strategic Partnerships,” Abubakar highlighted the need for improved maintenance capacity and innovation as the air force modernises.
According to the CAS, the planned acquisitions 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, he noted, are sophisticated platforms that demand advanced servicing protocols.
The fleet expansion follows the delivery of 15 aircraft in the past two years—comprising six T-129 ATAK helicopters, two AW-109 Trekker Type A helicopters, three Beechcraft King Air planes, and four Diamond 62 reconnaissance aircraft.
“These platforms require a modern maintenance approach. We must embrace advanced, data-driven practices to support our expanding capabilities,” Abubakar said, adding that operational readiness must be matched with robust support systems.
He revealed that the NAF is investing heavily in spare parts, logistics, and ground support equipment, with a goal to achieve full serviceability of all aircraft by Q4 2025.
Chief of Aircraft Engineering, Air Vice Marshal A.I. Amodu, also emphasized the importance of engineering in mission readiness, stating that a responsive maintenance system is crucial in today’s dynamic security environment.
