NAF Set to Acquire 49 New Aircraft by 2026 to Boost Operational Readiness – Air Chief

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has announced plans for a major expansion of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aerial fleet with the acquisition of 49 cutting-edge aircraft by the end of 2026.

Speaking at the 2025 Aircraft Engineering Conference held at the NAF headquarters in Abuja, Air Marshal Abubakar emphasized that the new fleet would include three CASA 295 transport aircraft, 10 AW-109 Trekker Type B helicopters, 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters, and 24 M-346 fighter jets. He noted that these technologically advanced platforms require highly sophisticated maintenance operations.

With the conference themed “Enhancing Aircraft Serviceability in the NAF through Strong Maintenance Culture and Strategic Partnerships,” the air chief urged NAF personnel to adopt innovative, data-driven maintenance practices to meet the demands of modern aerial warfare.

He highlighted that the ongoing fleet upgrade makes it imperative to enhance engineering capacity and foster a robust maintenance culture within the service. “While we have made significant strides in operational capability over the past two years, sustaining this progress requires solid engineering support systems,” he stated.

Abubakar also revealed that the Air Force has invested heavily in logistics, spare parts, and ground support equipment to ensure that all aircraft in the fleet remain fully operational by the fourth quarter of 2025.

Also addressing the conference, the Chief of Aircraft Engineering, Air Vice Marshal A.I. Amodu, underscored the critical role of engineering in the NAF’s mission. He described the discipline as the backbone of operational readiness and called for a proactive, adaptable maintenance framework in response to today’s evolving security landscape.

Amodu noted that the annual engineering conference serves as a crucial forum for sharing ideas, developing new strategies, and strengthening a culture of excellence in aircraft maintenance.

It is worth recalling that the NAF had earlier acquired 15 new aircraft over the past two years, including six T-129 ATAK helicopters, two AW-109 Trekker Type A helicopters, three Beechcraft King Air aircraft, and four Diamond 62 reconnaissance planes.