Nigerian Air Force to Receive 67 New Aircraft and Drones in Major Fleet Expansion

The Nigerian Air Force has announced plans to receive 67 additional aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles as part of its ongoing fleet modernisation programme, following the delivery of five helicopters in September 2026.

The expected platforms include 24 M-346 fighter and ground-attack aircraft, 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters, 12 Aksungur unmanned combat aerial vehicles, seven AW109 Trekker helicopters, six T-129 ATAK helicopters, three CASA C-295 medium airlifters, two CH-4D unmanned aerial vehicles and one H-225 multi-role helicopter.

The platforms are expected to strengthen the Air Force’s capabilities in intelligence gathering, air strikes, close air support, surveillance and troop and equipment transportation.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, said the modernisation programme was being pursued as a long-term capability development initiative rather than merely an acquisition exercise.

“The modernisation programme is progressing, and we are deliberately approaching it as a long-term capability development programme rather than simply an acquisition exercise,” he said in an interview published in October 2026 by the Defence Correspondent Magazine.

Aneke disclosed that five helicopters were delivered in September 2026, comprising three AW109 Trekker helicopters and two H125 helicopters.

According to him, the AW109 Trekker would enhance intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, close air support, armed reconnaissance and combat search and rescue, while the H125 would improve rotary-wing availability and provide commanders with greater flexibility across operational theatres.

The Air Force chief stressed that the focus was not simply on how many aircraft had arrived.

“Our focus is therefore not simply on how many aircraft have arrived, but on ensuring that they are properly inducted, crewed, maintained and integrated into the operational structure,” he said.

He also identified predictive maintenance and timely logistics support as key priorities for sustaining the operational value of the aircraft throughout their life cycle.

“The objective is not simply to increase the size of the Nigerian Air Force fleet, but to close critical capability gaps, improve operational flexibility and provide commanders with the right platforms for different mission sets,” Aneke added.

The announcement follows the publication of an infographic on the Nigerian Air Force’s official social media account on 25 October 2026, which listed the additional expected aircraft to mark the first anniversary of the Chief of the Air Staff.

No contract values, signing dates or delivery schedules were disclosed in the announcement.