By Emmanuel Nduka Obisue
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has completed the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) for the first batch of three M-346 Fighter Attack (FA) aircraft at the Leonardo Aircraft Division facility in Venegono, Italy, marking a major milestone in its ongoing fleet modernisation programme and paving the way for the aircraft’s delivery to Nigeria.
The development was disclosed in a statement on Monday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, who said the acceptance exercise, conducted between June 29 and July 9, 2026, by a joint delegation of the NAF and the Ministry of Defence, successfully fulfilled all contractual acceptance requirements ahead of the aircraft’s induction into the Service.
Commenting on the development, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, said, “The M-346 Fighter Attack aircraft is another strategic step in strengthening the Nigerian Air Force’s operational capability.”
According to the statement, the successful completion of the acceptance process confirmed that the three aircraft, designated NAF 01, NAF 02 and NAF 03, met all contractual, technical and airworthiness standards after extensive verification by representatives of the NAF, the Ministry of Defence and Leonardo Aircraft Division. The aircraft have now been formally certified for delivery as part of the NAF’s expanding inventory of modern air combat platforms.
Beyond the acceptance exercise, the delegation held strategic engagements with Leonardo Aircraft Division on pilot and maintenance training, logistics support and long-term fleet sustainment. The team also inspected the Full Mission Simulator, Virtual Reality-enabled training systems and other ground-based facilities expected to play a critical role in preparing NAF pilots and technical personnel for effective operation and maintenance of the new aircraft.
The statement noted that the investments in training infrastructure would strengthen indigenous technical capacity, enhance operational self-sufficiency and ensure sustained mission readiness for years to come.
Ejodame stated that the Chief of the Air Staff believes the M-346’s dual capability as an advanced trainer and frontline combat aircraft will significantly improve the Service’s ability to generate combat-ready aircrew while expanding its capacity to undertake precision strikes, close air support, air interdiction and other combat missions in response to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
The NAF also said the successful Factory Acceptance Test reflects the Federal Government’s commitment under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthening the operational capabilities of the Armed Forces through the acquisition of technologically advanced and mission-ready platforms.
According to the statement, the M-346 programme represents another major investment in national defence, reinforcing Nigeria’s capacity to safeguard its sovereignty while positioning the Nigerian Air Force among Africa’s leading air forces operating advanced multi-role combat aircraft.
