Badaru inspects NAF helicopters, fighter jets production in Italy

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, has visited Leonardo S.p.A’s defence manufacturing facilities in Italy where key platforms are being assembled for the Nigerian Air Force (NAF)

Badaru visited Leonardo’s Helicopters Division in Vergiate and Aircraft Division in Venegono to inspect the ongoing production of NAF aircraft and helicopters.

A total of 24 aircrafts, made up of helicopters and fighter jets equipped with weapons are being produced for NAF at the facility.

The Minister was in Italy as part of President Bola Tinubu’s delegation to the AQABA Process meeting, according to a statement by his Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mati Ali, on Saturday in Abuja.

Ali said the Minister, at the helicopter division, reviewed progress on ten AW109 Trekker attack helicopters being built for Nigeria.

According to him, three have been completed and are ready for delivery, another three will be ready before the end of 2025, while the remaining four are expected in early 2026.

He said the minister also inspected the production of M-346 Fighter Attack Jets, six of which were at advanced stages.

According to him, three are already undergoing flight tests, while the next three are due for testing soon.

“The 24 aircraft will be delivered in four batches, complete with weapons, tools, spare parts, and logistics support,” he said.

In his remarks, Badaru expressed satisfaction with the quality of work and praised Leonardo’s engineers for their professionalism.

He said the acquisitions demonstrate the Tinubu administration’s commitment to modernising the armed forces and strengthening Nigeria’s defence partnerships.

(NAN)