In an effort to strengthen its operational capabilities in the face of emerging threats, Nigeria is acquiring additional Alpha Jets to augment those already in service.

The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, on 4 December, announced the acquisition of surplus French military Dassault-Dornier Alpha Jet light strike aircraft.

He said the procurement included 12 pre-owned Alpha Jets from the French Air Force, with six to be operationally restored and six allocated for spare parts.

The NAF currently fields eight of 28 Alpha Jets that it first received from 1980 and they have been used in a ground attack role to strike Boko Haram in northeast.

The jets have also been supporting operations against militant groups in the Niger Delta.