The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has successfully completed the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) for the first batch of three M-346 Fighter Attack aircraft ahead of their delivery to Nigeria.
The tests were conducted at the Leonardo Aircraft Division facility in Venegono, Italy, between June 29 and July 9 by a joint delegation comprising officials from the NAF and the Ministry of Defence.
The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Monday, July 27, by the Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.
According to Ejodame, the successful completion of the exercise marks the fulfilment of all contractual acceptance requirements before the aircraft are delivered to the Nigerian Air Force.
He said the milestone aligns with the Chief of the Air Staff’s command philosophy of building a highly motivated, professional and mission-ready force capable of delivering decisive air power in coordination with ground forces.
“The successful completion of the acceptance process confirms that the three aircraft, designated NAF 01, NAF 02 and NAF 03, have met the required contractual, technical and airworthiness standards,” he said.
“Following comprehensive verification by representatives of the NAF, MOD and Leonardo Aircraft Division, the aircraft were formally certified for delivery, paving the way for their induction into the NAF inventory as part of its expanding fleet of modern air combat platforms.”
Beyond the acceptance tests, the Nigerian delegation also held discussions with Leonardo Aircraft Division on pilot and maintenance training, logistics support and long-term fleet sustainment.
Ejodame said the team inspected the Full Mission Simulator, virtual reality-enabled training systems and other ground-based facilities that will be used to prepare Nigerian pilots and technical personnel to operate and maintain the new aircraft.
“These investments will strengthen indigenous training and technical capacity, enhance operational self-sufficiency and ensure sustained mission readiness for years to come,” he said.
Commenting on the development, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, described the acquisition of the M-346 Fighter Attack aircraft as another strategic step towards enhancing the Nigerian Air Force’s operational capability.
He said the aircraft’s combination of advanced pilot training and frontline combat capability would improve the service’s ability to produce combat-ready aircrew while expanding its capacity to carry out precision strikes, close air support, air interdiction and other combat missions in response to Nigeria’s security challenges.
“The successful FAT also underscores the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment, under the leadership of President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Tinubu, to strengthening the operational capabilities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria through the acquisition of modern, technologically advanced and mission-ready platforms,” Aneke said.
“The M-346 programme represents another significant investment in national defence, reinforcing Nigeria’s capacity to safeguard its sovereignty while positioning the NAF among Africa’s leading air forces operating advanced multi-role air combat capabilities.”
He added that the Nigerian Air Force remains committed to modernising its fleet, supporting joint military operations and protecting the country’s territorial integrity, as well as the lives and property of Nigerians.
