U.S. to sell attack aircraft to Nigeria

The U.S. is seeking to approve the sale of up to 12 A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft to Nigeria to help its fight against Boko Haram.

A-29 SUPER TUCANO

Crew: 2

Engine: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 turboprop

Underwing weapons: Two 12.7mm machine guns

Armament: Five hard points allow up to 1,500kg of weapons
for over 130 configurations, including precision-guided munitions

SPECIFICATIONS

Maximum speed 590km/h

Service ceiling 10,000m

Takeoff weight 5,400kg

Estimated cost $10 million

Boko Haram threat People killed: 11,000 (2015)

Wingspan 11.14m

Length 11.30m

Height 3.97m

NIGER

NIGERIA

Abuja

GULF OF GUINEA

CHAD

Lake Chad

CAMEROON

400km 250 miles

Tucanos can be used for training, surveillance or attack

Can operate from remote, unpaved airstrips

Despite creation of 9,000- strong African multinational
force to counter Islamist extremist group, Boko Haram
has recently intensified attacks in Lake Chad Basin,
threatening regional security

Sources: Stratfor, IHS Jane’s, Embraer, IISS