FEC approves $618m loan for fighter jets from Italy
Last week, Nigeria’s Air Force announced the acquisition of 24 Italian-made M-346 attack jets and ten AW-109 Trekker helicopters as part of its fleet renewal strategy.
Air Force spokesperson Olusola Akinboyewa stated that a delegation led by Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, met with executives from Leonardo S.P.A., the manufacturer, in Rome.
The company confirmed that the first three M-346 jets are expected to arrive by early 2025, with subsequent deliveries continuing through mid-2026.
This development aims to enhance the firepower and aerial capabilities of troops engaged in the ongoing fight against insurgents.
READ ALSO: FG orders 50 fighter jets as terrorists occupy Kainji
Nigeria first initiated talks with the Italian firm in early 2024 when Claudio Sabatino, Vice President of Leonardo, met with Air Marshal Abubakar in Abuja.
The Federal Government has significantly increased defense and security spending in recent years to address various security threats, allocating approximately ₦3.3 trillion to the defense sector for the 2024 fiscal year.
Despite some successes, recent developments indicate that Boko Haram and other armed groups continue to operate in the Northeast and other regions of the country.
Proofreading by Uchechi Ojo, Sub-editor at Neptune Prime.
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