The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has completed the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) for the first batch of three M-346 Fighter Attack aircraft acquired to strengthen the country’s air combat and pilot training capabilities.
The acceptance tests were conducted at the Leonardo Aircraft Division facility in Venegono, Italy, ahead of the aircraft’s delivery to Nigeria.
The development was announced in a statement issued on Monday by the Director of Public Relations and Information at NAF Headquarters, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the acceptance exercise took place between June 29 and July 9 and was carried out by a joint delegation comprising officials of the Nigerian Air Force and the Ministry of Defence.
Ejodame said the exercise completed all contractual acceptance requirements, clearing the aircraft for delivery to Nigeria.
He explained that the milestone aligns with the Chief of the Air Staff’s vision of building a highly motivated, professional and mission-ready force capable of delivering effective airpower alongside ground forces.
The three aircraft, designated NAF 01, NAF 02 and NAF 03, successfully met all contractual, technical and airworthiness standards.
Following comprehensive inspections by representatives of the NAF, the Ministry of Defence and Leonardo Aircraft Division, the aircraft were formally certified for delivery and are expected to be inducted into the Air Force’s expanding fleet of modern combat platforms.
The delegation also held discussions with Leonardo Aircraft Division on pilot and maintenance training, logistics support and long-term fleet sustainment.
In addition, the team inspected the Full Mission Simulator, Virtual Reality-enabled training systems and other ground-based facilities that will be used to train NAF pilots and technical personnel to operate and maintain the aircraft.
Ejodame said the investments would strengthen Nigeria’s indigenous training and technical capacity, improve operational self-sufficiency and enhance the Air Force’s long-term mission readiness.
Reacting to the successful acceptance process, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, described the M-346 Fighter Attack aircraft as another strategic milestone in strengthening the operational capability of the Nigerian Air Force.
He said the aircraft’s dual role in advanced pilot training and frontline combat operations would significantly improve the service’s ability to produce combat-ready aircrew while expanding its capacity to conduct precision strikes, close air support, air interdiction and other combat missions in response to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
Aneke added that the successful Factory Acceptance Test reflects the Federal Government’s commitment under President Bola Tinubu to strengthening the Armed Forces through the acquisition of modern, technologically advanced and mission-ready military platforms.
According to him, the M-346 programme represents a major investment in national defence and will enhance Nigeria’s ability to protect its sovereignty while positioning the Nigerian Air Force among Africa’s leading operators of advanced multi-role combat aircraft.
The Air Force reaffirmed its commitment to modernising its fleet, expanding operational capabilities, protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity, supporting joint military operations and safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians.
