Nigerian Air Force T129 ATAK attack helicopter with the Nigerian flag on its tail on the apron at NAF Base Makurdi

Nigerian Air Force Lists Aksungur Drones and Six More T129s

by Tamika Johnson | Oct 26, 2026 | Aviazione militare, Notizia | 0 comments

Nigeria’s air force has put a new Turkish drone on its shopping list. On Sunday, 25 October 2026, the Nigerian Air Force published an infographic on its official X account listing 12 TUSAŞ Aksungur unmanned combat aircraft among its “additional expected aircraft”, according to Unmanned Africa and Townpress, which cited Galaxy Television.

The same plan, according to Military Africa, also includes two Chinese CH-4D drones and six more TUSAŞ T129 ATAK attack helicopters, on top of the six already delivered. FlightGlobal, which reported on Monday that the plans were laid out in an illustration celebrating the first year of the current Chief of the Air Staff, also lists more T129s and Aksungurs, along with UAVs from China and Turkey.

Informazioni rapide

Annunciato: Sunday 25 October 2026, infographic on the Nigerian Air Force X account
Aksungur drones: 12 listed as expected aircraft (TUSAŞ, Turkey)
CH-4D drones: 2, according to Military Africa (CASC, China)
T129 ATAK: 6 more, according to Military Africa; 6 already received
Also in the plan: 12 Bell AH-1Z attack helicopters
Contrarre: No value, delivery schedule or signed deal published
Occasione: First anniversary of Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke on 30 October
Year in numbers: Over 6,100 flying hours and 2,900 sorties, Nov 2025 to Sep 2026

An anniversary with a wish list

The infographic appeared on the day the air force issued a statement marking the first year in office of Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, who took over as Chief of the Air Staff and marks his anniversary on 30 October. The statement, from the air force’s Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the service flew more than 6,100 hours and over 2,900 sorties between November 2025 and September 2026, burning close to 10 million litres of Jet A-1.

It also confirmed that three AW109 Trekker Type B and two H125 helicopters were delivered in September 2026, that six L-39ZA jets are being reactivated and upgraded in Slovakia and Nigeria, and that a C-130 is in depot maintenance in Portugal. As published by Nigerian outlets, the statement refers only to “other planned aircraft and unmanned aerial systems” without naming them.

“Beyond these deliveries, the Service is pursuing a broader acquisition programme that includes 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters and other planned aircraft and unmanned aerial systems intended to strengthen airlift, combat, training, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.”

Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame — Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, statement of 25 October 2026

None of the reports cites a contract value or a delivery schedule, and there is no public confirmation that the deals have been signed. Treat the list as a plan, not a set of aircraft already on order.

The Aksungur: Turkey’s big drone

The Aksungur is the largest drone built by Turkish Aerospace. It descends from the TAI Anka, flew for the first time on 20 March 2019 and went to the Turkish Navy, which received its first aircraft on 20 October 2021. Two TEI PD170 turbocharged diesel engines drive it on a wingspan of 24 metres.

According to the manufacturer, it can carry 750 kilograms of payload to 25,000 feet, and stay airborne for up to 50 hours in lighter configurations. That is a big step up from the Bayraktar TB2, which the Nigerian Air Force already flies alongside Chinese Wing Loong II drones. Unmanned Africa lists Chad and Niger among the African air arms that have shown the Aksungur.

Grey twin-engine TUSAS Aksungur unmanned aircraft on display at Teknofest 2019 in Istanbul — A TUSAŞ Aksungur at Teknofest in Istanbul in 2019. Nigeria’s air force lists 12 of the twin-engine drones among its expected aircraft. This is a Turkish display aircraft, not a Nigerian one. Photo: CeeGee via Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Chinese drones and Turkish gunships

Nigeria has flown the CH-4 Rainbow for years. Military Africa reports that the force lost one near Kontagora in Niger State on 2 January 2026 and recovered the airframe, and says two new CH-4Ds would help make up such losses.

CASC CH-4 Rainbow armed drone on static display at Airshow China in Zhuhai in 2022 — A CASC CH-4 Rainbow at Airshow China, Zhuhai, in November 2022. Nigeria has flown the CH-4 for years, and Military Africa reports two new CH-4Ds are planned. Not a Nigerian aircraft. Photo: Infinty 0 via Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

The T129 story is newer. Turkish Aerospace’s chief executive said at Farnborough in July 2022 that Nigeria would receive six T129s, a helicopter derived from the Agusta A129 Mangusta. The first two entered service on 6 February 2024 at NAF Base Makurdi in Benue State, and Military Africa says open-source trackers now list all six as received. Six more would double the fleet.

Channels Television, August 2026: Nigerian Air Force pilots show off the T129 ATAK attack helicopter.

Turkey, China, the US and Italy

The new list sits beside programmes Nigeria has talked about for months. In February 2026, at NAF Base Kaduna, Aneke named 24 M-346 fighter ground attack aircraft, 12 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and 10 AW109 Trekkers, and the air force thanked President Bola Tinubu for his engagement with Turkey on helicopters and drones.

“We salute President Tinubu for his unwavering support to national security, as demonstrated by his bilateral engagement with the Government of the Republic of Türkiye for defence equipment, including the acquisition of advanced helicopters and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for the Nigerian Air Force.”

Nigerian Air Force — Statement at the NAF Base Kaduna inauguration, February 2026, via 21st Century Chronicle

The AH-1Zs are already being built: Afterburner reported in September that Bell has started production of Nigeria’s AH-1Z Vipers in Amarillo. Add Italian jets and helicopters, Chinese and Turkish drones and Turkish gunships, and the Nigerian Air Force is building an unusually mixed fleet.

That variety is the challenge. Every new type brings its own training pipeline, spare parts and ground stations. If the Aksungurs and CH-4Ds arrive, the real test will be how well their pictures and weapons plug into the fight against insurgents in the North-East and armed bandits in the North-West.

Sources: Nigerian Air Force (statement of 25 October 2026 via ThisDay, PRNigeria and News Agency of Nigeria), Military Africa, Unmanned Africa, Townpress, FlightGlobal, 21st Century Chronicle, defenceWeb, Overt Defense, THEWILL, Wikipedia (TAI Aksungur; List of equipment of the Nigerian Air Force)

Domande frequenti

What aircraft does the Nigerian Air Force plan to acquire?

An infographic posted by the Nigerian Air Force on 25 October 2026 lists 12 TUSAŞ Aksungur drones among its expected aircraft. Military Africa reports the plan also includes two Chinese CH-4D drones and six more T129 ATAK helicopters, while the air force has also confirmed 12 Bell AH-1Z attack helicopters are on the way.

Has Nigeria signed a contract for the Aksungur drones?

No contract has been published. The Nigerian Air Force listed 12 Aksungur drones as additional expected aircraft in an infographic on 25 October 2026, but no contract value, delivery schedule or confirmation of a signed agreement has been made public. The drones should be treated as a planned acquisition for now.

What is the TUSAŞ Aksungur?

The Aksungur is a twin-engine, medium-altitude, long-endurance armed drone built by Turkish Aerospace. It first flew on 20 March 2019, has a 24-metre wingspan and two PD170 diesel engines, and the manufacturer says it can carry 750 kilograms of payload and stay airborne for up to 50 hours in lighter configurations.

How many T129 ATAK helicopters does Nigeria have?

Nigeria ordered six T129 ATAK attack helicopters from Turkish Aerospace in 2022. The first two entered service at NAF Base Makurdi on 6 February 2024, and Military Africa says open-source trackers now list all six as delivered. According to Military Africa, the new plan adds six more T129s.

Does the Nigerian Air Force already operate CH-4 drones?

Yes. Nigeria has flown the Chinese CASC CH-4 Rainbow armed drone for years. Military Africa reports that one was lost near Kontagora in Niger State on 2 January 2026 and recovered, and that two new CH-4D drones in the latest plan could help make up for such losses.

Who is Nigeria’s Chief of the Air Staff?

Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke is Nigeria’s Chief of the Air Staff and marks his first year in office on 30 October 2026. The air force says that between November 2025 and September 2026 it flew more than 6,100 hours and over 2,900 sorties under his command.

Can I fly in an L-39?

Yes. Nigeria is reactivating six L-39ZA jets, and civilians can fly the same family of jet trainer with MiGFlug. L-39 Albatros flights are offered in Florida, California, Switzerland, Italy, Czechia, Australia and New Zealand. See the L-39 Albatros flight page for details.