Page 55 - Air Forces Monthly - September 2017

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year as grounded aircraft were
reactivated and others equipped
with electro-optical (EO) kit.
They comprise two ATR 42s
(including NAF 931, reactivated
after being grounded for
almost two years at Yola), three
King Air 350s (NAF 201, 202
and 204) and a DA42 MPP.
King Air 350 NAF 201 has
had a sensor upgrade, while
two more, including NAF 202,
have been equipped with EO
Above: Although it was expected that the DA40NG would be replaced by the recently acquired Super Mushshak, recent kit. An additional King Air, NAF
information suggests the two types may serve as complementary training assets. NAF 203, could also potentially be
Aircraft Maintenance Depot at AW109 LUHs fitted with cabin- security forces, were delivered converted as an ISR platform.
MMIP, Ikeja; 403 Electronics mounted machine guns. to the NAF in February after In addition to fixed-wing
Maintenance Depot at Shasha; Further capacity comes from the Nigerian Customs Service assets, at least one AW109 and
405 Central Armament Depot two to three armed EC135s, commandeered them. a Mi-17 (NAF 270) have an EO
in Makurdi; 407 Equipment including NAF 547 and 548, More helicopters began fit, while the two newly inducted
Supply Depot and 551 (ex-435) provided by the Nigerian National arriving last December, as Mi-35Ms are similarly equipped.
Base Services Group at Ikeja; Petroleum Company (NNPC) in deliveries of between six and
and 561 (ex-445) NAF Hospital March last year and subsequently 12 additional new-build, night- Transports
also at Ikeja. The 500-series reactivated by the country’s Aero capable Mi-35M gunships and a The NAF sustains its operational
designations of most of these Contractors. In July, one of three similar number of armed Mi-17 logistics and tactical airlift
units have not yet been disclosed. Dauphins (NAF 527) also handed or Mi-171 helicopters ordered commitments with only a handful
over by the NNPC in 2016 was from Russian Helicopters began. of aircraft – C-130H NAF 913, two
Aircraft inventory seen in desert camouflage at The first two Mi-35Ms – NAF C-130H-30s (NAF 917 and 918)
The NAF has been slowly Aero Contractor’s hangar in Port 559 and 560 – were inducted in and possibly up to three G222s,
growing its operational fast Harcourt undergoing repairs April, seeing combat in May. although these appear to be under
jet fleet since around 2013, a prior to entering service. Four more Mi-35Ms and a similar depot maintenance at Lagos
March 2017 estimate putting its In addition, there are small number of transports – most likely after heavy use in 2014-15 – and
number at around 20 aircraft. numbers of other helicopters of Mi-17s – are expected to enter perhaps no more than five Do 228
They include some eight Alpha doubtful operational capability, service this year, with additional light transports. In July, one of the
Jets, six or seven F-7NIs and a including around three Ecureuils helicopters due in 2018, according ATR 42 maritime patrol aircraft
single FT-7NI, plus, since late and an EC120. Both types were to official statements from the NAF was also being used a transport –
last year, at least four L-39ZAs first seen in a mix of military and Nigeria’s Ministry of Defence. possibly as a stopgap measure. AFM
weaponised with UB-16 rocket and civilian finishes inside a
and GSh-23 cannon pods. hangar in Yola in July 2015, but ISR aircraft The second part of this Force
Between four and six more their provenance is unclear. The NAF views its ISR aircraft Report, in a forthcoming issue,
L-39ZAs are believed to be Two new Bell 412EP aircraft, as game-changing assets. The will examine the NAF’s post-2014
operational with 403 FTS as basic ordered under the previous number of active platforms in combat operations, strategic
trainers, with the potential for Jonathan administration for service had risen from one in goals and current inventory,
conversion to the light attack role. the Rivers State government’s July 2015 to six by March this including a full order of battle.
Actual holdings of combat-
capable jets are much greater,
and include around 12 Alpha Jets
(of 27 acquired), 11 or 12 F-7NIs,
including one remaining FT-7NI
trainer (of 12 single-seaters and
three trainers acquired), and
perhaps as many as 21 surviving
L-39ZA airframes (of 25 acquired).
Helicopters
Over the past two years, growing
numbers of various helicopters
have entered service, apparently
with no attempt to restrict the
number of types for ease of
logistics and maintenance.
The fleet includes an estimated
14 Mi-24V/35P/35M gunships,
at least two Mi-17 armed
transports, one or two Super
Puma medium transports, an
AW101 medium transport (a
second is being repaired after an
incident at Makurdi in November Above: Mi-17 or Mi-171Sh NAF 558 likely pictured at Maidurguri in February. First seen late last year, it is unclear if this
2016) and between eight and 12 is the first of a larger batch of similar helicopters that are reportedly on order. NAF

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