According to Olusegun Dada, Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu, the French Air Force has sold 12 pre-owned Alpha Jets to the Nigerian government.
The planes were purchased through SOFEMA, a French military and aeronautics corporation.
In a post on X on Thursday, Dada noted that “all 12 aircraft are ready for shipping,” and that the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) presently operates 11 Alpha Jets.
The Alpha Jet, created through Franco-German collaboration, is a flexible military aircraft built for light attack missions and advanced training. It can carry a variety of weaponry, including bombs, rockets, and missiles, and has a gun pod for close air support.
Dada also highlighted that the NAF is awaiting the delivery of 24 M-346FA light attack aircraft ordered under former President Muhammadu Buhari. These aircraft are expected to arrive early next year.
Chief of Air Staff (COAS) Hasan Abubakar praised the ongoing modernization of the NAF fleet under President Tinubu’s administration, citing enhanced operational readiness and presidential support as key drivers of this progress. “This remarkable turnaround is evident with the president’s support,” he said.
The announcement of the Alpha Jets acquisition comes shortly after President Tinubu’s state visit to France from November 27 to 30, at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron. Tinubu departed France on December 1.
In October, Abubakar revealed plans for Nigeria to receive 24 Leonardo M-346FA aircraft from Italy, with six currently under production. The first batch of three is expected by early 2025, with the entire fleet arriving by 2026. He also emphasized the need to establish a maintenance hub in Nigeria to ensure sustained support for the new aircraft.