Nigeria Acquires 12 Pre-Owned Alpha Jets from French Air Force, Expands Air Force Fleet

The Nigerian government has acquired 12 pre-owned Alpha Jets from the French Air Force, according to Olusegun Dada, Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu.

The jets were purchased through SOFEMA, a French military and aeronautics company. “All 12 aircraft are ready for shipping,” Dada announced on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, adding that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) currently has 11 Alpha Jets in service as of 2023.

The Alpha Jet, developed through a Franco-German collaboration, is a versatile military aircraft designed for advanced training and light attack missions. It can carry a range of weapons, including bombs, rockets, missiles, and is equipped with a gun pod for close air support.

Dada also highlighted the pending arrival of 24 M-346FA light attack aircraft ordered during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. These aircraft are expected to be delivered early next year.

The Chief of Air Staff (COAS), Hasan Abubakar, praised the ongoing renewal of the NAF fleet, attributing the improvements to President Tinubu’s leadership. “This remarkable turnaround is evident with the president’s support,” he stated.

The announcement of the Alpha Jets acquisition follows President Tinubu’s state visit to France from November 27 to November 30, at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron. Tinubu departed France on December 1.

In October, Abubakar confirmed that Nigeria is also set to receive 24 Leonardo M-346FA aircraft from Italy, with six currently in production. The first batch of three is expected in early 2025, and the entire fleet is scheduled to arrive by 2026. Abubakar emphasized the need for a maintenance hub in Nigeria to ensure long-term operational support for the aircraft.