The first of many Hungarian-made ISR-configured Fusion light combat and trainer aircraft has arrived Nigeria to join the battle against insurgents.
The Fusion aircraft designed by Magnus Aircraft will also spearhead Nigeria’s attempt to grow it’s aerospace capacity by building the type locally.
On 8 December, Magnus Fusion aircraft (Reg: HA-XCN) arrived Abuja after departing Hungary on November 29th, thereby completing a 9 days long trip and covering a distance of 4147NM (7680km) to commence flight testing in African climate.
Magnus will supply at least twenty of the aircraft, which comprises of Fusion Sentinel ISR version, Fusion UL training version for the Air Force, and three unmanned variant for the Army.
The Nigerian Army has been marked down to also receive three MF-212 ISR and attack aircraft.
The MF-212 attack aircraft carries guided missiles R-60-NT-L with the semi-active laser seeker and R-60-NT-T with the thermal imaging seeker. Both missiles are equipped with a new multi-beam laser proximity fuze that provides a continuous field of view, which significantly increases the probability of engaging small targets.
The aircraft is equipped with iSky-30 HD three-channel high-sensitivity opticalelectronic station which enables automatic detection, tracking and identifying targets. In addition, the laser illumination function provides precise guidance of missiles with a semi-active laser and passive thermal imaging homing head.
These acquisitions will be funded under the 2023 Budget proposal submitted by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari to the National Assembly.
Magnus Aircraft has teamed up with a local partner, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) who will be responsible for carrying out the subsequent overhaul of the aircraft and assembly.
In May, Magnus has signed an agreement with Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) for the assembly and sale of its Fusion UL model. DG NCAT Captian Alkali Modigbo, Senator Hadi Sirika, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, and László Boros CEO of Magnus Aircraft Zrt were present during the signing.
In January, a Hungarian delegate consisting of the Hungarian Consul-General to Nigeria, Endre Peter Deri, and the Chief Executive Officer, Hungarian Magnus Aircraft Manufacturing Factory, Mr Laszo Boros, visited the Headquarters NAF in Abuja, they were received by the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.
Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar disclosed that partnership between the two entities would enable the NAF to take advantage of the competencies available in Hungary to address some of the technical challenges the service currently faces in the conduct of its operations.
“As you are aware we are fighting a counter-insurgency war in the North East and the aircraft produced by the Hungarian Magnus Aircraft Manufacturing Factory, which has ISR capability, would be useful in adding value to what we are doing in the North East and other Theatres of Operation”, the CAS said.
Similarly, Kenyan military is in talks with Hungarian Magnus Aircraft to acquire light aircraft to monitor it’s borders and fight poachers.
Kenya is looking to equip their air force and border guard with the Magnus Fusion aircraft, against poachers and thieves or even to monitor livestock in their national parks.
