By Our Correspondent
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is moving forward with plans to modernize its combat abilities by holding key meetings in Italy. These talks focused on buying new aircraft and strengthening defense cooperation, according to Vanguard.
This was announced by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Kelvin Aneke, in Italy when he visited Leornado Aircraft Division in Milan. The visit to Milan indicates the federal government’s commitment towards tackling insurgency head-on in the country.
During the visit, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) reportedly described the upcoming addition of new aircraft as “a critical leap in renewing the NAF’s combat capability.” He explained that these new aircraft will boost precision strike missions, enhance training, and support Nigeria’s regional security.
The meetings involved senior government and NAF officials, with leaders from Leonardo’s Helicopter and Aircraft Divisions.
Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of NAF Public Relations, Vanguard reports, highlighted that the visit from 19 to 20 January 2025 formed part of a broader strategic engagement with Leonardo, underscoring President Bola Tinubu’s priority on airpower modernization and defence-industrial cooperation.
At the Leonardo Helicopter Division, Air Marshal Aneke was said to have commended Leonardo’s professionalism. He reiterated the importance of agile and mission-capable platforms such as the AW-109 Trekker Type B helicopters in ongoing counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency, and internal security operations across Nigeria.
Discussions at the Aircraft Division reportedly focused on the M-346 fighter ground-attack aircraft programme. The CAS stressed the aircraft’s potential to enhance Nigeria’s precision strike capability, training efficiency, and regional deterrence, while also noting the importance of synchronised delivery timelines with the readiness of Nigeria’s main operating bases.
He further emphasised the strategic value of early and comprehensive training for pilots, engineers, and logisticians, with establishing a Leonardo Support Office in Nigeria to improve aircraft availability and long-term sustainment.
Responding, Leonardo was reported to have expressed commitment to timely delivery, sustainment, and expanded cooperation on the AW-109 and M-346 programmes. The CAS also reassured Nigerians that the NAF remains committed to fulfilling President Tinubu’s mandate to address nationwide security challenges through sustained investment in modern platforms, training, and partnerships.
Meanwhile, Nigeria has battled violent insurgencies for over a decade, particularly from groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which have carried out attacks, kidnappings, and bombings in the country’s northeast and beyond.
On 25 December 2025, the United States military, directed by President Donald Trump, launched airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Sokoto State, northwest Nigeria, in coordination with Nigerian authorities. Trump described the operation as aimed at militants “who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians,” marking an unprecedented direct U.S. military action in Nigeria’s conflict theatre.
Nigeria’s foreign ministry confirmed the precision strikes on ISIS-linked camps took place with intelligence cooperation and emphasised joint efforts to tackle terrorism and violent extremism.
The long-running insurgency and efforts to modernise Nigeria’s military capability, including airpower upgrades such as those discussed in Italy, are part of broader efforts to address persistent security threats across the country.
With reports from the Vanguard