Nigeria’s first M-346FA light attack aircraft completed its maiden flight on March 7, 2026, at Leonardo’s facilities in Italy, sporting the official delivery grey paint scheme. This milestone advances the Nigerian Air Force’s €1.2 billion ($1.39 billion) program, signed in November 2023, for 24 aircraft, training, weapons, ground support equipment, spare parts, and 25-year maintenance support.
The M-346FA, a multi-role variant of Leonardo’s advanced trainer, replaces the aging Dassault Alpha Jet A/E fleet. It serves as a lead-in fighter trainer for JF-17 operations while enabling light combat strikes, filling the gap between A-29B Super Tucano turboprops and supersonic F-7 or JF-17 fighters.
Powered by two Honeywell F124-GA-200 turbofans, each producing 2,850 kg (28 kN) of thrust, the jet measures 11.49 m long, with a 9.72 m wingspan and 4.76 m height. Empty weight stands at 4,900 kg, maximum takeoff at 10,400 kg. Performance includes a 1,065 km/h (575 ktas) low-altitude max speed, 45,000 ft service ceiling, 112 m/s climb rate, 1,925 km range (extendable to 2,550 km with tanks), and 2 hours 45 minutes endurance (up to 4 hours with tanks). Maneuvering limits reach +8g/-3g.
Equipped with Leonardo’s Grifo-M-346 multi-mode radar, Defensive Aids Sub-System (DASS) including radar warning receiver, missile approach warning, chaff/flare dispensers, and tactical data link, the aircraft features seven hardpoints. Armament options encompass IRIS-T/AIM-9L air-to-air missiles, GBU-12/16/32/38/49 laser/GPS-guided bombs, JDAMs, Brimstone, Marte ER, 12.7 mm gun pods, rocket launchers, and RecceLite pods, integrated with helmet-mounted displays. In-flight refueling supports extended missions.
Initial deliveries of three aircraft are slated for early 2025, with the full batch through 2026, including a Nigerian maintenance hub.