The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, has announced that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) plans to expand its fleet with the acquisition of 49 new aircraft by the end of 2026. This announcement was made during the 2025 Aircraft Engineering Conference at the NAF Headquarters in Abuja, themed, “Enhancing Aircraft Serviceability in the NAF through Strong Maintenance Culture and Strategic Partnerships.” The new 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 aircraft. These advanced aircraft demand sophisticated maintenance practices.
In the last two years, the NAF has received 15 new aircraft, which include six T-129 ATAK helicopters, two AW-109 Trekker Type A helicopters, three Beechcraft King Air aircraft, and four Diamond 62 reconnaissance planes. Air Marshal Abubakar emphasized the importance of advancing maintenance culture and engineering capacity within the NAF to support these high-tech platforms effectively. Significant investments have been made in logistics, spare parts, and ground support tools to ensure all operable platforms are fully serviceable by the fourth quarter of 2025.
Air Vice Marshal A.I. Amodu, Chief of Aircraft Engineering, highlighted that aircraft engineering is crucial for the NAF’s mission. He noted the need for a proactive maintenance framework to address the rapidly evolving security environment. The conference serves as a platform for exchanging ideas and developing innovative strategies to enhance the NAF’s operational readiness and efficiency.
