The Vice President of Messrs Leonardo, Mr. Claudio Sabatino, has assured the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, of his company's steadfast commitment to delivering the M-346 fighter aircraft on schedule. Mr. Sabatino made this pledge during a visit to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Headquarters on April 17, 2024. He confirmed that the first batch of six aircraft is expected to arrive in Nigeria before the end of the year.
Mr. Sabatino expressed gratitude for the warm reception and highlighted the need for continued engagement between NAF and Leonardo to finalize aspects of the project, such as pilot and engineering training. He also reassured the CAS that maintenance of the aircraft fleet would not be a challenge, as there is a binding agreement for Leonardo's maintenance support for a minimum of 25 years. The manufacturing process of the aircraft fleet is progressing well, with meticulous attention to detail and expertise.
The CAS appreciated Leonardo's long-term maintenance support commitment, recognizing its value in ensuring the operational readiness of the aircraft fleet. He acknowledged the challenges overcome and expressed optimism for the future of the partnership. The M-346 fighter aircraft is expected to enhance NAF's training capabilities and operational effectiveness, with roles in close air support, air interdiction, tactical reconnaissance, and advanced pilot training.
Air Marshal Abubakar proposed the establishment of a dedicated Program Management Office to oversee the collaboration. He reiterated the importance of Leonardo's presence in Nigeria as a maintenance hub for its African clientele. Both parties agreed on the need for regular dialogue and collaboration, scheduling future meetings to discuss logistics, maintenance protocols, and configuration requirements.
The Federal Government's acquisition of 24 M-346 fighter aircraft from Leonardo marks a significant step in NAF's fleet modernization and operational effectiveness. The aircraft will arrive in four batches of six each, with the first batch expected before the end of 2024.
