The Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Air Force are set to bolster their operational capabilities with a massive investment in 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.
A breakdown of 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.
On December 18, 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 administration’s commitment to tackling Nigeria’s pressing security challenges.
By Solomon Odeniyi @ThePUNCH
