Niger is significantly modernizing its armed forces with the official unveiling of the Turkish-made Aksungur combat drone, a next-generation platform intended to bolster the fight against terrorism and cross-border threats.
The Aksungur, whose acquisition was announced in April, was presented during a visit by the Minister of State for National Defense, General Salifou Mody, to Air Base 101. Valued at 12 billion CFA francs and weighing three tons, the drone is designed for both surveillance and strike missions. It boasts impressive capabilities, including the capacity to carry up to 750 kg of munitions and sustain 40 hours of continuous flight.
This platform surpasses the capacity of the Bayraktar TB2 drones currently in service and rivals the Akinci, another advanced Turkish defense product. To ensure rapid operational deployment, twelve Nigerien military personnel have received specialized training in Turkey. With this acquisition, Niger follows regional neighbors like Mali and Burkina Faso in strengthening their aerial arsenals with high-end Turkish drones.
The drone’s unveiling coincides with a review of military operations conducted across the country’s eight regions from September 21 to 27. An existing drone squadron at Air Base 101 has logged over 10,000 flight hours since 2023, contributing significantly to territorial security day and night.
In a move toward greater technological sovereignty, General Mody also visited a newly established aeronautical research and development center. The center showcased two prototypes of locally developed tactical reconnaissance and attack drones, marking a strategic step toward Niger’s autonomy in military equipment production.
AC/sf/lb/abj/APA