Nigerian Air Force

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is the air arm of the Nigerian Armed Forces. It was established in 1964 with its primary goal being the protection of Nigeria's airspace. Over the years, the NAF has evolved into a well-structured and equipped fighting force. It operates various aircraft types, including fighter jets, transport planes, helicopters, and surveillance drones. The primary functions of the NAF are to provide close air support to ground forces, conduct aerial reconnaissance and surveillance, engage in offensive air strikes, and transport personnel and equipment. The NAF has participated in various military operations both domestically and internationally, including peacekeeping missions. Some notable Nigerian Air Force operations include the Nigerian Civil War, ECOMOG missions in Liberia and Sierra Leone, as well as counter-insurgency operations against Boko Haram in Nigeria's northeast region. The NAF also prioritizes training and capacity building through partnerships with foreign air forces and the establishment of training institutions within the country.

Key facts

Official Name	Nigerian Air Force
Local Name	Nigerian Air Force
Country	🇳🇬 Nigeria
World rank	#61
Active aircrafts	144 (as of 2024)
Aircrafts on order	44
Roundel

Number of active aircrafts by type

Aircraft type	Active
Helicopters	52
Combat aircrafts	38
Training	28
Transport	20
Special missions	6

Aircrafts most used by Nigerian air forces

Aircraft	Active	Type
AW109	19	Italian multipurpose helicopter, notable for its use in law enforcement, air ambulance and military roles since the late 1970s.
Mi-24 Hind	15	Soviet attack helicopter, renowned for Cold War use, predominantly deployed for airborne assault, close combat, and anti-armour roles.
Alphajet	12	French-German trainer jet, known for North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) pilot training, used particularly from late 1970s onward.
EMB 312 Tucano	12	Brazilian military trainer aircraft, utilized heavily in the 1980s, known for participation in the Iran–Iraq war.
Do 128	11	German utility aircraft, employed mainly for environmental research and maritime patrol during the late 20th century.
J-7 Fishcan	11	Chinese jet fighter, notable for usage in the late Cold War era, widely deployed in the Third Taiwan Strait Crisis.
L-39 Albatros	10	Czech training jet, operational since the Cold War, deployed worldwide for various military aviation roles.
MFI-15 Safari	10	Swedish utility aircraft, operational since the 1960s, frequently deployed for training and light transport roles worldwide.
MB-339	6	Italian trainer aircraft, recognized for its Cold War era inception, extensively deployed for advanced pilot training and light attack roles.
Mi-17 Hip-H	6	Soviet transport helicopter, prominently deployed during Afghan War, globally used for cargo, troop transport, and rescue missions.

Full inventory in 2024