On December 4, 2024, General Hasan Abubakar, Chief of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), announced the acquisition of twelve second-hand Alpha Jet E aircraft from the French Air and Space Force (Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace).
According to Scramble, this deal includes refurbishing six jets to make them operational, while the remaining six will serve as a source of spare parts.
This development coincides with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s state visit to France, the first such visit since 2000. The visit emphasized growing bilateral cooperation in various sectors, including defense.
The Alpha Jets, originally used by France for training, are being phased out in favor of the PC-21 Pilatus. This transition has made surplus aircraft available for sale. The jets acquired by Nigeria will be refurbished by SOFEMA (Société française d’exportation de matériel militaire et aéronautique), a French company specializing in the renovation and maintenance of military equipment sourced from the French Armed Forces.
Since the 1980s, the NAF has relied on Alpha Jets for pilot training and close air support missions against insurgents and militants. Out of the 24 jets originally procured, only eight remain in service due to combat losses and accidents. Nigeria also purchased five Alpha Jets from the United States in 2015, one of which was lost in a crash.
France and Nigeria’s defense relationship, initially modest, has grown significantly since a 2016 defense cooperation agreement that emphasized intelligence sharing, training, and operational preparation. The latest acquisition further solidifies this partnership and highlights France’s role as a key defense partner for Nigeria in West Africa.
This purchase is expected to improve the NAF’s operational readiness, particularly for counter-insurgency operations. With the refurbished jets expected to enter service in the near future, Nigeria aims to enhance its air support capabilities while addressing its longstanding equipment challenges.