Air Force to Soar Higher: NAF Set to Acquire 49 New Warplanes by 2026

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, has announced that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) will acquire 49 cutting-edge aircraft before the end of 2026, a move expected to significantly enhance the nation’s aerial combat capabilities and operational readiness. According to iReporter Online, the announcement was made on Wednesday during the opening ceremony of 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 conference served as a platform for unveiling the service’s ambitious fleet expansion, which includes 3 CASA 295 transport aircraft, 10 AW-109 Trekker Type B helicopters, 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters, and 24 M-346 fighter jets—each requiring advanced maintenance protocols and high-level technical expertise.

According to iReporter Online, this upcoming acquisition follows the successful delivery of 15 new aircraft in the past two years. These include six T-129 ATAK helicopters, two AW-109 Trekker Type A helicopters, three Beechcraft King Air surveillance aircraft, and four Diamond 62 reconnaissance planes, reinforcing the NAF’s evolving air power capabilities.

Air Marshal Abubakar emphasized the urgent need for the Air Force to adopt innovative, data-driven maintenance and engineering systems, stating that the success of modern air operations hinges on the reliability and serviceability of aircraft. He added that the recent advancements in operational capability must be matched by robust support systems, logistics investments, and engineering competence to ensure sustained performance in support of national security.

According to iReporter Online, significant investments have already been made in logistics infrastructure, spare parts supply, and ground support equipment to guarantee that all operational aircraft remain fully serviceable by the last quarter of 2025.

Also speaking at the event, Chief of Aircraft Engineering, Air Vice Marshal A.I. Amodu, described the engineering corps as the backbone of NAF’s mission, noting that the volatile security environment demands a responsive and proactive maintenance culture. He highlighted the importance of the engineering conference as a forum for exchanging ideas, cultivating excellence, and driving innovation to maintain NAF’s readiness for any challenge.

The development marks a strategic shift in Nigeria’s defence architecture, positioning the Air Force for greater impact in safeguarding national interests.