LIVE UPDATES
NIGERIA — In a bid to bolster operational capabilities, the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Air Force have invested massively in acquiring cutting-edge equipment, including fighter boats, patrol vessels, attack helicopters, and aircraft simulators.
According to the 2025 proposed appropriation bill, the two services will collectively spend over N77bn on these procurements.
The allocation shows that N510m was allocated for the procurement of Azimuth Stern Drive Tug Boat, a vessel from China.
A substantial N9.6bn was earmarked for acquiring multiple new tug boats; N5.97bn will go toward purchasing three OCEA 32 fast patrol boats, six special forces boats, six rigid-hulled inflatable boats, fuel cleaning stations, and a four-year integrated logistics plan.
N2.85bn will be spent on three 17-metre patrol boats with spare parts; N514m is set aside for 80 flat-bottom assault boats under phase two of the procurement plan. Two 30-man NSS boats with reinforced gun points and a service whaler boat will cost N363mn. A sum of N190m will be used to procure T-68 M4 paintball guns.
For the Air Force, N2.75bn was allocated as the balance payment for the procurement of Beechcraft King Air 350i; N2.35bn will serve as part payment for the Periodic Depot Maintenance of two Agusta 109 LUH helicopters, NAF 571 and NAF 572.
An additional N39.46bn is set aside for six T-129 attack helicopters, along with weapons and spares; N8.25bn will be spent on various aircraft spares to ensure operational readiness and N2.68bn was allocated for the procurement of a Super Mushshak flight simulator equipped with full-fit motion technology.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu presented the proposed N47.9tn 2025 budget to the National Assembly, branding it the “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace and Rebuilding Prosperity.”
A significant portion of the budget, N4.91tn, has been dedicated to defence and security, underscoring the commitment of Tinubu's administration to tackling Nigeria’s pressing security challenges.
