The Nigerian Air Force has stepped up efforts to strengthen its tactical and medium airlift capacity, with top-level engagements in Spain focused on the possible acquisition of Airbus CASA C-295 aircraft for counter-insurgency, logistics and humanitarian missions.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, led a high-level Nigerian Air Force delegation on an official visit to Airbus Defence and Space facilities in Spain from March 14 to 18, 2026, as part of the Service’s ongoing fleet modernisation drive.
At the centre of the visit were discussions on the potential acquisition of the CASA C-295 aircraft, a tactical transport platform being considered to improve operational mobility in support of counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations across Nigeria.
During the visit, the delegation was hosted at the 35th Wing of the Spanish Air and Space Force at Getafe Air Force Base, where they were briefed on the operational deployment of the C-295 aircraft. The NAF team received insights into the platform’s effectiveness in troop movement, logistics resupply, medical evacuation and humanitarian operations.
Officials were also exposed to the aircraft’s reliability, adaptability and cost-effective maintenance profile, which are considered key factors in modern military airlift operations.
The delegation later held strategic talks at the headquarters of Airbus Defence and Space in Madrid, where discussions focused on the C-295’s global acceptance, versatility and performance in a range of operational environments.
Airbus also presented its support framework, including training packages, logistics systems and long-term sustainment solutions designed to meet customer-specific operational needs.
As part of the broader engagement, the NAF delegation received a detailed briefing on the SIRTAP Next Generation Tactical Unmanned Aerial System, an emerging platform with advanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. The system was presented as having significant potential for integration with manned air operations.
The visit concluded at Airbus’ production and assembly facility in Seville, where Air Marshal Aneke and his team toured the production lines and observed the manufacturing and quality assurance processes behind both the C-295 and A400M aircraft.
Speaking during the visit, Air Marshal Aneke said the engagements had provided the Nigerian Air Force with valuable operational and technical insights needed to support its fleet expansion and modernisation plans.
“These engagements are vital to strengthening our tactical airlift capability and enhancing operational effectiveness in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges,” he said.
Airbus representatives, in response, praised the Nigerian Air Force’s strategic direction and reiterated their willingness to support the Service through partnership frameworks covering training, technology transfer and sustainment.
The visit, according to the Nigerian Air Force, reflects its commitment to acquiring modern, efficient and mission-ready platforms in line with the Federal Government’s efforts under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthen national security through continuous enhancement of military capabilities.
