NAF To Purchase 49 New Aircraft By 2026 — CAS

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has announced that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) will acquire 49 cutting-edge aircraft by the end of 2026, significantly boosting its aerial capabilities.

Speaking on Wednesday at the opening of the 2025 Aircraft Engineering Conference held at NAF Headquarters in Abuja, Air Marshal Abubakar emphasized the importance of enhancing aircraft serviceability through a strong maintenance culture and strategic partnerships — the theme of this year’s conference.

The new additions to the fleet will include three CASA 295 transport aircraft, 10 AW-109 Trekker Type B helicopters, 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters, and 24 M-346 fighter jets — all of which are technologically advanced platforms requiring highly specialized maintenance procedures.

This planned expansion follows the successful delivery of 15 new aircraft over the past two years. These include six T-129 ATAK helicopters, two AW-109 Trekker Type A helicopters, three Beechcraft King Air aircraft, and four Diamond 62 reconnaissance planes.

“These are high-tech platforms that demand sophisticated maintenance operations,” the Air Chief said, urging NAF personnel to adopt modern, innovative, and data-driven maintenance practices to keep pace with the evolving demands of air combat operations.

Air Marshal Abubakar underscored that as the fleet grows, so must the engineering capabilities and maintenance standards of the force.

“In the past two years, the NAF has achieved significant operational milestones. However, sustaining this progress requires a solid support system to deliver consistent air power for national security,” he added.

He further noted that substantial investments have already been made in logistics, spare parts, and ground support equipment to ensure that all operational aircraft are fully serviceable by the fourth quarter of 2025.

Also addressing the gathering, Chief of Aircraft Engineering, Air Vice Marshal A.I. Amodu, described aircraft engineering as the backbone of the NAF’s mission success. He highlighted the importance of a responsive and proactive maintenance framework, especially in today’s fast-changing security landscape.

Amodu stated that the conference serves as a key forum for exchanging ideas, developing forward-thinking strategies, and reinforcing a culture of excellence in aircraft engineering—all of which are critical to maintaining the NAF’s operational readiness and efficiency.