Nigeria plans acquisition of Turkish drones and attack helicopters

The Nigerian Air Force has disclosed plans to acquire 12 Aksungur combat drones and six T129 ATAK attack helicopters from Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ). The announcement, shared via an official infographic, aims to enhance the nation's reconnaissance, surveillance, and strike capabilities.

The Aksungur is a twin-engine, medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle capable of staying airborne for over 50 hours. The T129 ATAK helicopters are designed for tactical reconnaissance and attack missions, featuring advanced weaponry including 20 mm cannons and anti-tank missiles.

This procurement comes as Nigeria continues to address security challenges, including terrorism from groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP, as well as banditry in the northwest. The modernization effort follows recent military upgrades, including the delivery of five helicopters and maintenance of L-39ZA and C-130 aircraft.