Nigeria orders 12 military aircraft from Brazil’s Embraer

Brazil’s Embraer SA and partner firm Sierra Nevada Corp have received an order for 12 A-29 Super Tucano military aircraft from the Nigerian Air Force, a securities filing showed on Wednesday, as reported by Reuters.
The customer will use the airplanes in tactical operations, the filing said.

The planes will be manufactured by Embraer in Jacksonville, Florida, and customised by Sierra Nevada at its Centennial plant in Colorado.

Recalled that late last year, Sadique Abubakar, the Chief of Air Staff, said the Nigerian military was still expecting to take delivery of 18 fighter aircraft from the United States of America and Italy to boost the counter-insurgency operation in the North East and other operations across the country.

Abubakar said the 18 aircraft were the much-talked about 12 A-29 Super Tucano aircraft from the US and then six Agusta 109 power helicopters from Italy.

The air chief said, “The desire to make the NAF the best in the sub-region necessitated new platforms, equipment and specialised training. Muhammadu Buhari, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has given us priority attention, which has resulted in the acquisition of 18 new aircraft in the last three years.

“We are also expecting another 12 A-29 Super Tucano aircraft and six Agusta 109 power helicopters from the United States and Italy, respectively.

“This will no doubt contribute to the fight against insurgency and other forms of criminality whilst also enhancing the execution of the NAF Base Defence Architecture.”