Nigeria has recently acquired 12 pre-owned Alpha Jets from France to strengthen its military capabilities.
The deal was facilitated through SOFEMA, a French military and aeronautics company. This acquisition follows President Bola Tinubu’s visit to France, where he met with President Emmanuel Macron.
The Alpha Jets, originally developed through a collaboration between France and Germany, are versatile light attack jets and advanced trainers. They can carry various weapons, including bombs, rockets, and missiles, and are equipped with a gun pod for close air support missions.
In addition to the Alpha Jets, Nigeria is also expecting the delivery of 24 M-346FA light attack aircraft from Italy, which were ordered by the previous administration. The first batch of these jets is set to arrive in early 2025, with full delivery anticipated by 2026.
Chief of Air Staff Hasan Abubakar praised the progress in the Nigerian Air Force’s fleet renewal and highlighted the improved operational readiness under President Tinubu’s administration.
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