The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has reached another significant milestone in its ongoing fleet modernisation programme with the successful completion of the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) for the first batch of three M-346 Fighter Attack (FA) aircraft at the Leonardo Aircraft Division facility in Venegono, Italy.
According to a statement by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the acceptance exercise, conducted from June 29 to July 9, 2026, by a joint delegation from the NAF and the Ministry of Defence (MoD), successfully concluded all contractual acceptance requirements ahead of the aircraft’s delivery to Nigeria.
The aircraft, designated NAF 01, NAF 02, and NAF 03, were confirmed to have met all contractual, technical and airworthiness standards following comprehensive verification by representatives of the NAF, Ministry of Defence and Leonardo Aircraft Division. They have now been formally certified for delivery and will soon join the NAF’s expanding fleet of modern combat aircraft.
Beyond the acceptance process, the Nigerian delegation held strategic engagements with Leonardo officials on pilot and maintenance training, logistics support and long-term fleet sustainment. The team also inspected advanced training facilities, including the Full Mission Simulator and Virtual Reality-enabled systems designed to enhance the operational readiness of NAF pilots and technical personnel.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described the M-346 acquisition as another strategic milestone in strengthening the Nigerian Air Force’s operational capability.
He noted that the aircraft’s dual-role capability as both an advanced trainer and frontline combat platform would significantly improve the NAF’s ability to produce combat-ready pilots while expanding its capacity to execute precision strikes, close air support, air interdiction and other critical air combat missions in response to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
The successful Factory Acceptance Test also reflects the Federal Government’s commitment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthening the Armed Forces through the acquisition of modern and technologically advanced military platforms.
According to the NAF, the M-346 programme represents a major investment in national defence and further positions the Service among Africa’s leading air forces operating advanced multi-role combat aircraft.
The Air Force reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity, supporting joint military operations and protecting lives and property across the country, noting that the induction of the M-346 aircraft marks another important step in its transformation into a more agile, professional and combat-ready force.
