VENEGONO, ITALY — The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, has recorded another major milestone in its fleet modernisation programme with the successful completion of the Factory Acceptance Test, FAT, for the first batch of three M-346 Fighter Attack aircraft.
The aircraft, designated NAF 01, NAF 02 and NAF 03, completed the acceptance process at the Leonardo Aircraft Division facility in Venegono, Italy.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.
According to the statement, the successful FAT confirms that the three aircraft have met all required contractual, technical and airworthiness standards. This paves the way for their induction into the NAF inventory as part of its expanding fleet of modern air combat platforms.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, described the M-346 as a strategic addition to strengthen NAF’s operational capability.
He noted that the aircraft’s unique combination of advanced pilot training and frontline combat capability will significantly enhance the Service’s ability to generate combat-ready aircrew, while expanding capacity to conduct precision strike, close air support, air interdiction and other air combat missions in response to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
The successful Factory Acceptance Test also underscores the Federal Government’s commitment, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, to strengthening the operational capabilities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria through the acquisition of modern, technologically advanced and mission-ready platforms.
NAF Completes Factory Acceptance of 3 M-346 Fighter Attack Aircraft
