Let's clarify Nigeria's purchase order for 24 M-346FA jets

Leonardo M346 advanced jet trainer.

Nigerian media recently confirmed Nigeria's purchase of 24 Leonardo M-346FA light combat aircraft. The deal has reportedly already been signed, and "at least six aircraft will be delivered by the third quarter of 2021." The Italian-made platform is intended to replace the Nigerian Air Force's (NAF) aging Alpha Jet ground attack aircraft.

However, six months for the production and testing of six new light fighters is a very short time, and Leonardo does not have any new aircraft ready for delivery.

In recent months, we've discussed the NAF's extensive efforts to revitalize some of its decommissioned F-7NI and L-39ZA jets. Why would the nation allocate such funds if new trainers/LCAs were on the way?

Let's take a look at the NAF's fleet. It is highly diverse: it currently includes nine Chengdu F-7s, 13 Alpha Jets, eight L-39 Albatrosses, three A-29 Super Tucanos, and six Aermacchi MB-339s. These will soon be joined by twelve Super Tucanos and three JF-17 Thunders, ordered by Nigeria in 2018.

The new Super Tucano will be equipped with Paveway II guided bombs, laser-guided rockets, and infrared sensors and will be used to support counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, border surveillance, and illicit trade interdiction operations. The Thunders, on the other hand, will primarily ensure air superiority. Nigeria plans to introduce 25 to 40 of them (the three aircraft already acquired are for familiarization). What role could the M-346 play in the NAF's fleet modernization plan?

Nigeria will soon need new trainer jets, especially to train pilots of modern JF-17 fighters, and the M-346 is among the best for this role. We are fairly certain that Abuja has not yet finalized a deal for the Italian aircraft, but there is a strong likelihood that one will be signed in the coming years.

Bilateral relations between Italy and Nigeria are excellent and have lasted for decades; Nigeria is Italy's largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa after South Africa. It is one of the most important customers for the Italian defense industry in the region, and the NAF has operated several types of Italian-made fixed- and rotary-wing military aircraft for several years.

It is unlikely that the parties involved will be able to release official information on this matter, as arms sales to Nigeria are subject to restrictions, but we can say with certainty that the purchase of new LCAs was never included in the nation's latest budget documents. These primarily concerned the procurement of numerous spare parts to rehabilitate the grounded jet fleet.

We believe that the choice of an additional LCA should have prevailed over the JF-17, as the nation has extremely urgent needs in terms of close air support and counterinsurgency capabilities; however, the choice has already been made and the first NAF Thunder pilots are training in Pakistan.

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Written by Matteo Sanzani

Photo Credit: Leonardo