Niger: Ministry of Defense showcases surveillance and attack drone acquired from Türkiye
The Nigerien Ministry of Defense displayed to the media a modern Aksungur combat drone, recently acquired from Türkiye.
According to information provided by the ministry, the aircraft’s financial value is estimated at approximately 12 billion CFA francs, its weight is 3 tons, and its designed for surveillance and attack missions.
This drone, which was unveiled during a visit by Nigerien Defense Minister General Salifou Modi to Air Base (101), can carry 750 kilograms of bombs and fly continuously for 40 hours.
The Ministry of Defense considers the introduction of this new aircraft, designed to enhance the fight against terrorism and transnational threats, to be part of a review of military operations conducted between September 21 and 27 in eight regions of the country.
With the official acquisition of the Aksungur, which it announced last April, Niger joins Mali and Burkina Faso, which recently bolstered their military arsenals with Turkish Bayraktar Akıncı drones.
Niger’s ruling Transitional Military Council affirms its commitment to continuing to accelerate the modernization of its military arsenal to better counter attacks by armed groups.
Niger has suffered from security instability for years, as areas bordering Mali and Burkina Faso are subject to occasional attacks by groups linked to al Qaeda.
In the southeast, along Lake Chad and Nigeria, the country faces attacks by Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa Province.
