Nigeria accepts first M-346FA light combat aircraft
The first of 24 M-346FAs was accepted by the Nigerian Air Force at Leonardo's Venegono Superiore facility in northern Italy. (Nigerian Air Force)
Nigeria has accepted the first of 24 Leonardo M-346FA (Fighter Attack) light combat aircraft, the country's air force announced on 27 July 2026.
Images posted by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) show the formal acceptance of the aircraft at Leonardo's Venegono Superiore facility in northern Italy.
“NAF completes acceptance of first M-346 Fighter Attack aircraft, boosts air power and national security,” the service said.
News of the acceptance came some 27 months after Leonardo first disclosed to Janes in April 2024 that it was under contract to deliver M-346FA jets to Nigeria. At that time, the manufacturer said that pilot and engineering training would commence in 2024, but that it could not provide a timeline for aircraft deliveries to the NAF.
The M-346FA is an upgraded version of the baseline M-346 advanced jet trainer, in that it is fitted with the Leonardo Grifo-346 multimode fire-control radar. Common to all versions of the aircraft, it is equipped with nine hardpoints (four under each wing and one on the centreline for an optional cannon pod). It can carry a range of ‘dumb' and ‘smart' munitions, has a top speed of 590 kt, a maximum take-off weight of 3,100 kg, an endurance of four hours (with two drop tanks), a range of 1,963 km, and a service ceiling of 45,000 ft.
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