Air Force To Acquire CASA C-295 Aircraft From Spain

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is set to acquire CASA C-295 aircraft to strengthen its mobility on counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.

The NAF disclosed this on its official social media handle yesterday.

It said the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, led a high-level delegation on an official visit to Airbus Defence and Space facilities in Spain from 14th–18th March, 2026 as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the Service’s tactical and medium airlift capability.

NAF said  prominent engagements during the visit were discussions on the potential acquisition of the CASA C-295 aircraft to strengthen operational mobility in support of counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.

The delegation was received at the 35th Wing of the Spanish Air and Space Force, Getafe Air Force Base and briefed on the aircraft’s operational employment, gaining valuable insights into its effectiveness in troop transport, logistics support, medical evacuation, and humanitarian missions, as well as its reliability, adaptability, and cost-effective maintenance profile.

The delegation subsequently held strategic discussions at the headquarters of Airbus Defence and Space in Madrid, focusing on the aircraft’s global acceptance, versatility, and proven performance across diverse operational environments.

Airbus also highlighted its comprehensive support architecture, including training, logistics frameworks, and long-term sustainment packages tailored to customer requirements.

As part of exposure to emerging technologies, the delegation received a detailed briefing on the SIRTAP Next Generation Tactical Unmanned Aerial System, which demonstrated advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, as well as its potential integration with manned air operations.

The visit culminated at the Airbus production and assembly facility in Seville, where the CAS and his team undertook a guided tour of the production lines, observing first-hand the advanced manufacturing processes and quality assurance systems underpinning the production of both the C-295 and A400M aircraft.

Speaking during the engagements, Air Marshal Aneke expressed appreciation to the Spanish Air and Space Force and Airbus for their hospitality and transparency, noting that the visit provided critical operational and technical insights to support the Nigerian Air Force’s fleet modernisation drive. “These engagements are vital to strengthening our tactical airlift capability and enhancing operational effectiveness in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges,” he stated.

In response, Airbus representatives commended the NAF’s strategic vision and reaffirmed their readiness to support the Service through comprehensive partnership frameworks encompassing training, technology transfer, and sustainment solutions.