The Nigerian air force is hoping the U.S. may soon sell them EMB-314 Super
Tucano aircraft. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ryan Callaghan
The Nigerian air force is hoping the United States may soon approve the
sale of EMB-314 Super Tucano aircraft to the country.
Capt. Ayodele Famuyiwa said in a statement this week that the service
expects the United States to soon authorize a sale of Super Tucanos, which
would replace the nation’s ailing Alpha jets.
Though Super Tucano maker Embraer is based in Brazil, U.S. approval of the
sale would be required if the aircraft are built at the Jacksonville,
Fla., plant of Sierra Nevada Corporation, where Super Tucanos are
currently being produced for Afghanistan and Lebanon.
The Super Tucano is a turobprop aircraft used for light attack,
counterinsurgency, reconnaissance and close air support. The air force is
also seeking to soon acquire Russian Mi-35 helicopter gunships and
Pakistan’s Super Mushsack trainer aircraft.
Air force facilities have been expanded as a result of the proposed
additions to the air fleet.
Expanded facilities will include personnel facilities, and apron expansion
at the Yola International Airport for operations against the Boko Haram
terrorist group.
The country is also grappling with the so-called Niger Delta Avengers, a
militant group in western Nigeria that is waging war on the Niger Delta’s
oil installations.
UPI