Nigeria Receives First T129 Attack Helicopters from Turkey
Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) delivered the first two of six T129 ATAK attack helicopters to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF). The remaining four aircraft are slated to delivery by the end of the first half of next year. Nigeria formally ordered the six ATAKs last year at the 2022 Farnborough Air Show.
Africa has emerged as one of Turkey’s key markets for selling its defence solutions, with Nigeria climbing to the top through the procurement of major platforms, like the ATAK. In addition, Nigeria also ordered a pair of 76 m offshore patrol vessels (OPV) from Turkey’s Dearsan Shipyard. The first OPV was launched on October 26. Nigeria also contracted Dearsan Shipyard to modernize its MEKO 360 frigate.
The NAF also acquired an undisclosed number (at least six) of Bayraktar TB2 combat drones from Baykar Technologies, adding to the company’s growing cadre of drone customers.
However, not only do these acquisitions speak to the growing presence of the Turkish defence industry, but it also reflects Nigeria’s growing focus on advancing its counter-insurgency (COIN) capabilities. In this sense, the NAF also inducted 12 Embraer A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft and three AVIC/PAC JF-17 Thunder multirole fighters. The U.S. also greenlit the sale of 12 Bell Textron AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters.
Combined with the T129 and Bayraktar TB2, the NAF has a multi-layered close air support (CAS) and strike capability. The T129 and A-29s, for example, can provide CAS coverage for ground forces, reconnaissance, and anti-infantry as well as precision-strikes against fixed targets. When heavier munitions are required, the NAF can leverage the JF-17s with laser-guided bombs (LGB) and precision-guided bombs (PGB). Finally, the Bayraktar TB2 can support long-endurance intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), time-sensitive targeted strikes, and CAS operations.
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