Nigeria Receives First Batch Of Super Tucano Jets

The Nigerian government have received the first batch of A-29 Super Tucano jet it ordered to support the fight against insecurity in the country.

Nigerian Air Force ( NAF) spokesperson, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said NAF had received six A-29 Super Tucano fighter jets that arrived in Kano from the manufacturing factory in the United States Of America on Thursday, July 22, 2021.

The six jets are the first batch of 12 in total that the Nigerian government paid $469.4 million to the Donald Trump-led U.S. government for in 2018.

They were received by top military officers led by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, and the Minister of Defence, the retired Major General Bashir Magashi.

NAF announced last week that an official induction ceremony of the new jets will take place next month.

The propeller-driven aircraft can be used for training, surveillance or attack, and can be armed with two wing-mounted machine guns and can carry up to 1,550 kg (3,417 pounds) of weapons.

The contract was awarded to Sierra Nevada Corporation, and also provides for ground training equipment, mission planning systems, mission debrief systems, spares, ground support equipment and support services for NAF personnel.

The President Muhammadu Buhari-led government hopes the new fighter jets would improve national security and help in the country’s fight against the terrorist group, Boko Haram.