Badaru inspects ongoing production of NAF helicopters, fighter jets in Italy
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has inspected the production of new Nigerian Air Force (NAF) helicopters and fighter jets being built by Italian aerospace giant Leonardo S.p.A., as part of efforts to modernise the country’s military fleet and enhance operational readiness.
Badaru undertook the inspection during his visit to Italy, where he was part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s high-level delegation attending the AQABA Process meeting.
The visit took him to two major Leonardo facilities in northern Italy, the Helicopters Division in Vergiate and the Aircraft Division in Venegono where advanced military platforms for Nigeria are currently being assembled.
At the Vergiate plant, the minister examined the assembly line for the AW109 Trekker attack helicopters, ten of which are being produced for the NAF. According to updates from the facility, three helicopters are already completed and ready for delivery, while another three are on track for completion before the end of 2025.
The remaining four are scheduled for handover in early 2026.
In Venegono, Badaru inspected the M-346 Fighter Attack Jets, part of Nigeria’s broader defence modernisation and airpower enhancement programme.
Out of the 24 aircraft ordered, six are currently at advanced stages of assembly, with three already undergoing flight tests and the remaining three slated to begin testing soon.
The delivery of the M-346 fleet will be executed in four tranches of six aircraft each, alongside corresponding armaments, support equipment, maintenance tools, spare parts, and a full training and logistics package for NAF personnel.
Badaru expressed satisfaction with the quality of work and adherence to timelines, commending Leonardo’s engineers and management for their professionalism and technical excellence. He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to building a well-equipped, efficient, and responsive armed force capable of addressing evolving security challenges.
“The Tinubu administration remains resolute in its pursuit of a stronger, better-trained, and technologically advanced military. Our partnership with Leonardo demonstrates our confidence in global defence collaborations that strengthen national security,” the minister stated.
The inspection, officials said, reflects the administration’s broader defence policy of leveraging international partnerships to boost local capabilities, enhance training, and ensure Nigeria’s armed forces are equipped with cutting-edge assets to protect the nation’s territorial integrity.
