Nigeria has significantly increased its military spending in recent years to combat ongoing attacks by armed bandits and to address a 15-year insurgency led by Boko Haram and its affiliate, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Nigeria's air force is set to acquire 24 M-346 attack jets and ten AW-109 Trekker helicopters from Italy as part of its fleet renewal initiative, according to a spokesperson on Monday.

Air Force spokesperson Olusola Akinboyewa stated that a delegation led by Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar met with officials from Leonardo S.p.A., the aircraft manufacturer, in Rome. They confirmed that the first three M-346 jets are scheduled for delivery by early 2025, with additional aircraft arriving through mid-2026.

The Trekker helicopters are anticipated to be delivered by early 2026. Abubakar highlighted that these acquisitions are vital for modernizing the fleet and stressed the importance of establishing a maintenance hub in Nigeria to support the M-346 fleet in the long term.

In recent years, Nigeria has increased its military expenditure in response to ongoing challenges from armed groups in the northwest and a prolonged insurgency by Boko Haram and its affiliate, ISWAP, in the northeast.

Earlier this year, Nigeria received five new aircraft, including two TA T129 ATAK helicopters from Türkiye. In June, it took delivery of two "Huey" helicopters and two additional Trekker helicopters, alongside 12 A-29 Super Tucano light attack jets acquired in 2021 for counter-insurgency operations. Pending deliveries also include Chinese-made Wing Loong II drones.