The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, has inspected the ongoing production of aircraft and helicopters being built for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) at Leonardo S.p.A’s defence manufacturing facilities in northern Italy.
Okay News reports that the minister visited Leonardo’s Helicopters Division in Vergiate and Aircraft Division in Venegono, where several key platforms for the Nigerian military are currently under construction. The inspection was part of activities during President Bola Tinubu’s delegation to the AQABA Process meeting.
In a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by Mati Ali, the Minister’s Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity, Badaru reviewed progress on the ten AW109 Trekker attack helicopters being assembled for Nigeria.
According to the statement, three helicopters have already been completed and are ready for delivery, while another three are expected before the end of 2025. The remaining four are scheduled for handover in the early months of 2026.
The minister also inspected the ongoing assembly of M-346 Fighter Attack Jets, six of which are reportedly at advanced stages of production. Ali noted that three of the jets are already undergoing flight tests, with the remaining ones due for testing soon.
He explained that all 24 aircraft—including helicopters and fighter jets—would be delivered in four batches, complete with weapons systems, spare parts, maintenance tools, and logistical support to ensure operational readiness upon arrival in Nigeria.
During the visit, Badaru expressed satisfaction with the progress made and commended Leonardo’s engineers for their precision and professionalism.
He stated that the acquisition of these platforms reflects the Tinubu administration’s commitment to modernizing Nigeria’s defence capabilities and strengthening strategic partnerships that enhance national security.
According to him, the government remains determined to equip the Nigerian Armed Forces with modern technology to effectively counter emerging security challenges and defend the nation’s territorial integrity.
The visit marks another milestone in Nigeria’s collaboration with international defence manufacturers, aimed at boosting the Air Force’s operational capacity and ensuring sustained air dominance in regional security operations.
