MESSRS LEONARDO OF ITALY AFFIRM TIMELY DELIVERY OF M-346 FIGHTER AIRCRAFT

The Vice President of Messrs Leonardo, Mr Claudio Sabatino has assured the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Mashal Hasan Abubakar, of his Company’s unwavering commitment to the timely delivery of the M-346 fighter aircraft beginning with the first batch of 6 expected in Nigeria before the end of Year 2024. Mr Sabatino stated this when he paid a visit to Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Headquarters on Wednesday, 17 April 2024. While thanking the CAS for the warm reception accorded him and his entourage, Mr Sabatino also stated that further engagement between the NAF and his Company would be necessary to conclude other aspects of the project such as the commencement of pilots and engineering training. Speaking further, Mr Claudio assured the CAS that when finally completed, the maintenance of the aircraft fleet would not constitute a challenge as there is a binding agreement for Leonardo’s maintenance support for the minimum of 25 years. He also noted that the manufacturing of the aircraft fleet has reached an appreciable state and is being carried out with the utmost skill and expertise.

The assurance of long-term maintenance support provided by Leonardo was particularly met with appreciation by the CAS, who recognized the inherent value of such commitment in ensuring the sustained operational readiness of the entire aircraft fleet. Reflecting on the journey thus far, Air Marshal Abubakar also acknowledged the challenges overcome and expressed optimism for the future trajectory of the partnership. Envisioning the operational impact that the M-346 fighter aircraft brings to fore, Air Marshal Abubakar went on to underscore its dual role in bolstering training capabilities and augmenting operational effectiveness in diverse mission scenarios. Moreover, the prospect of Close air support, Air Interdiction, and tactical reconnaissance as well as Advanced Pilot Training capabilities inherent in the M-346 fighter aircraft heralded a new prospect for NAF’s operational versatility. The CAS further proposed the establishment of a dedicated Program Management Office, tasked with overseeing all facets of the collaboration. Air Marshal Abubakar also used the opportunity of the visit to reiterate the significance of Messr Leonardo's physical presence in Nigeria as a maintenance hub for their long list of African clienteles, whole also emphasizing the need for close coordination and synergy in achieving shared objectives with regards to the expeditious delivery of the fleet. Moving forward, both parties concurred on the importance of regular dialogue and collaboration as well as scheduling future meetings to delve into detailed arrangements on logistics, maintenance protocols and configuration requirements.

Recall that the Federal Government is acquiring 24 x M-346 fighter aircraft from Messrs Leonardo of Italy in a move that marks a significant step in NAF’s ongoing efforts to modernize its fleet as well as bolster its operation effectiveness. The aircraft is expected to arrive in Nigeria in 4 trenches of 6 each, with the first trench billed to arrive before the end of Year 2024.

Edward Gabkwet
Air Vice Marshal
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force

19 April 2024

bidexiii:
#RWANDA SOF
Thus guys are equipped & kitted

this is Congolese no Rwandan

kabe1:


It's some type of modernized SMG which used to be popular in the 80s and 90s.

Beretta M12 SMG

Baller254:
...
Kenya Defence Forces
training exercises

can you drop link to video pls

kabe1:
Rumors of possible Defence Industry agreement between Nigeria and Turkey.

Mainly from Turkish sources.

"Anticipations are high for the signing of a groundbreaking defense industry agreement between Nigeria and Turkey, surpassing any previous agreements in terms of value."

yeah the NAF wants to choose between Akinci and Aksungur
That's what I'm waiting for most
Let's see who will be selected
TAI has been pushing their Aksungur UCAVs to NAF recently
On the Other hand I've not seen Baykar pressure NAF maybe some backdoor ish dey go on

kabe1:
Terrorists operating in Nigeria are living on borrowed time!!

Over 100 terrorists including Senior Commanders completely and utterly smoked by the Nigerian Air Force.

that Russian guy no longer do PR for ISWAP

bidexiii:



5
How many did we ordered.

last one came unnoticed

bidexiii:


We only received 4 units

5

bidexiii:
NAF regiment

these aren't regiment but SOF operators

Bacteria8:


Second picture:

Why are they carrying rifles on our land 🙄

dem carry warships it's rifle that's your problem
What's doing you

Odunayaw:
Ma guy

Toju de on him own, stray bullet don go touch am

I'm good man. How you de

i tire o

kabe1:


To be honest, I really don't know the difference between the Wing Long II and CH-4.

wing loong-the front landing gear is behind the FLIR pod while the CH-4 the FLIR pod is behind the front landing gear also the tail of the WL2 is more like a Y shape unlike the CH-4 that's V shaped

kabe1:


Unfortunately, no can do.

Thanks all the same.

well I hope you get to hear about it soon you may not tho

kabe1:


The Nigerian military, especially the Air Force is pretty decent.

We have about 50 aircrafts potentially on order.

24 x units M-346FA

6 x units T-129 ATAK Helicopters (Legacy MI-24Vs have been retired, MI-35P helicopters should follow closely)

12 x units AH-1Z Attack helicopters (probably stalled)

12 x Units A-109 on order

2 x units C-295 Transport planes from Airbus

If all these come in as expected, the Force's ability to strike at will will further increase.

We currently use 3 x units JF-17 and 12 x units upgrade F-7NI for Air Defence, that's not bad, but I would have imagined that we would have made the JF-17s a Squadron atleast. 12 x units.

how can I message you privately

Air Vice Marshal Lubo, please allow me to stand on existing protocol, and thank you so much for having us here today.

Also, welcome and thank you to our distinguished guests from the U.S. Air Force and Army Corps of Engineers who have made the trip.

I would be remiss not to recognize an individual who is not here today: Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard, who departed Nigeria one month ago and entered retirement after 38 years of service to the U.S. government, including three Ambassadorships. Nobody did more than she in recent years to strengthen this relationship, and to support a stronger military-to-military partnership.

Good morning, everyone. It is an honor to represent the United States here in Kainji on such a significant occasion.

Well before my arrival in Nigeria last year, I was hearing about the A-29s. I have closely tracked the progress of the A-29 program because of what it represents in this new era of U.S.–Nigeria security partnership. Today, I am delighted to celebrate the fruits of that partnership and commitment. Nigeria’s A-29 program addresses critical Nigerian needs, is the largest U.S. foreign military sale in history to any country in sub-Saharan Africa, and is truly an example of Nigeria’s leadership and professionalism as reflected in the Air Force motto, “Willing – Able – Ready.”

A key enabler for the effective employment of the A-29s is the construction here at Kainji, which meets U.S. standards for munitions storage, safety, security, and quality. Without a proper and modern runway, hangar, training facility, or storage area, the A-29s would be grounded; with this construction, it can truly take flight. And we have already seen just how important this program is. The Nigerian Air Force has used the A-29s to great effect in the fight against terrorists, and the use of the latest targeting technologies and precision weapons minimizes civilian casualties. Just last October, the NAF demonstrated the effectiveness of the A-29s when the Nigerian military successfully repelled a terrorist attack on nearby Wawa Cantonment, just a few miles down the road.

The A-29s are a critical piece off the puzzle in Nigeria’s fight against insecurity and extremism but it’s not just about the machines or the facilities, it’s the people in and behind them.

Proper maintenance and ground support are critical to keeping the A-29s in the fight, and the A-29 Program Management Office at Nigerian Air Force Headquarters is a large part of that success. The Program Management Office is an internationally recognized best practice to support long-term sustainment, and we’re proud that the A-29 is the first NAF airframe with this support mechanism. I look forward to seeing U.S.-Nigerian collaboration lead to additional advancements through projects like the A-29.

And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the Air-To-Ground Integration program or AGI. Six courses of students from all three military services have graduated from the program, and we look forward to working with the NAF to develop the AGI Schoolhouse. These programs deepen the U.S.-Nigerian partnership and help the Nigerian military become not just the premier fighting force in Africa, but a stabilizing force in the region.

We are cutting the ribbon at three different sites here in Kainji today, which is pretty impressive, but this is far from the end of the U.S. work at the base. We remain willing, able, and ready to support the A-29 equipment and construction warranties and to discuss requests for additional equipment. As the U.S. Air Force says, let’s “aim high” for the next iteration with the AH-1Z. Thank you.

Antiochus:


Keep up the good job Kabe1

Please If i may ask this question. Do we produce bombs too. If not Nigeria should start producing these bombs too o. We should leatn how to build own ordnance and air to air missiles too.

we're try to perfect a GPS guided missile
It was tested last year

Nigerian navy SBS during #Flintlock23

Nigerian army Aviation to receive 36 cayuse helicopters

Nigerian air force SOF operator

Nigerian soldier

Stormtrooper11:



That looks like an M4 rifle if I am not mistaken

yep

kabe1:
COMMISSIONING CEREMONY OF MADE IN NIGERIA ASHOK LEYLAND TROOPS CARRYING VEHICLES BY THE DEFENCE MINISTER ON FRIDAY 3 MARCH 2023
#OnwardTogether

For the Nigerian Navy

for the entire military
700 vehicles

komekn:


will stay on target for much longer time, it can take it's own sweet time to observe orient decide and act , jets don't have that luxury perse

You've watched too many fantasy war films 🤣🤣

What situational awareness do you need when you have boots on the ground.

Loitering for what ❓with your noisy turboprop engine for a lucky anti aircraft gunner or someone with a MANPAD to shoot you down

Oga rest you just hate the aircraft
Everytime Noisy turboprop!!!
Yet ISWAP still dey get am hot from the A29 the bird is doing what it was built for even performed better than in Afghanistan (God bless our skilled pilots)
That's why it's called the Phantom (Ghost) and the Bully

komekn:


You should get the facts right , the bold is incorrect.

It's a Turbo prop with a top speed less than a WW2 spitfire.

whether the top speed is that of a snail o
It did what it was meant to do with high level of precision 100+ terrorists gone to the great beyond

komekn:


Agreed without question.

I am sure I talked about this over a year ago, when I lost interest in this discourse, which has become praise singing hallelujah choir, by many here .

Presenting mediocrity and incompetence as oustanding professionalism with lots of glossy pictures.

If pictures could win a war then it would have been einby NOW. Donkeyw ago I said the Turbo prop overpriced A29 aircraft were an absolute wause of money.

Many here said it is the game changers, has anything changed it it's got a lot worse.❓

i see you're back
Now tell me how is the A29 a complete waste of money
And how has things gone worse in the NE

Rugged 1Div Nigeria army
Battle tested unit

Nigeria troops hunting terrorists in kaduna

ItooWorWor:
This is unbelievable




Saddamochieng00:
Unfortunately guys we lost one of our longtime members late last year. His contribution in here won't be forgotten. Rest easy Kikuyu1🕊️🕊️

omggg!!!!

Nigeria air force JF 17 thunder bird

Troops of 1Division Nigeria army rescues civilians from terrorists

rugged7:
It is strange that the Nigerian government does not actively seek put these free defence articles from the U.S government.

The C130s are being offered to practically everybody but the Nigerians.

Meanwhile there is a strong need for medium lift capacity.

and we're acquiring two from Italy

DICON LAV in service with CD