Nigeria’s A-29 Super Tucano achieves 10,000 flight hours.
The Nigerian Air Force A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft recently surpassed 10,000 flight hours. With 12 Super Tucanos delivered to Nigeria, this achievement reflects the Super Tucanos unmatched reach, multi-mission versatility and proven tactical performance capabilities.
Operators and crews from Nigeria contributed to this achievement, logging hours through different mission requirements including combat, training, Special Operations, and ISR.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, was in Kainji, Niger State, earlier on 15 August 2024, to celebrate the achievement of a significant flying milestone by Nigerian Air Force (NAF) pilots, who have now logged 10,000 flight hours on the A-29 Super Tucano aircraft fleet. Speaking at the event, Air Marshal Abubakar noted that the milestone represented the culmination of years of dedication, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to NAF’s mission of “ensuring the integrity of the airspace by gaining and maintaining control of the air while retaining a credible capacity to fulfill other airpower tasks demanded by National defence and security imperatives”.
According to him, “Reaching 10,000 flight hours is no small feat as it symbolizes the countless hours of training, meticulous planning, and flawless execution that have gone into every mission we have undertaken.” He also stated that the feat represented the exceptional skills, professionalism, and resilience of NAF’s brave men and women who have served and are currently serving.
The CAS also expressed delight that the milestone was achieved without any major incident on the aircraft, which he attributed to the high premium the NAF places on safety. “Invariably, strict adherences to safety measures emplaced are enabling us to achieve the desired results,’ he noted. He then went on to pay tribute to NAF’s fallen heroes, noting that the milestone was a reminder of their sacrifices, courage and commitment which have continued to, ‘inspire us all and remind us of the importance of our mission.’
On the dynamic security environment, Air Marshal Abubakar reminded the pilots on the need to remain focused on the challenges ahead. According to him, “The world continues to change, and new threats emerge every day. Our commitment to excellence must remain steadfast, and we must continue to adapt, innovate, and evolve to stay ahead of our adversaries.” He then spoke on NAF’s efforts in the various internal security operations across the nation, which have been critical to decimating terrorists and other criminals as well as supporting ground offensives by own troops. While praising the unit commander and crew for their tireless efforts at ensuring the accomplishment of all missions in support of NAF’s mandate, the CAS reminded them of the need to be focused and united in their purpose, and resolute in their determination to protect the Nation and its interests.
The CAS also expressed gratitude and appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support, which has helped the NAF achieve the 10,000 hours milestone and many other feats in recent times. He then appreciated the leadership and members of the National Assembly for their unflinching support and the Minister of Defence as well as the Minister of State for Defence for their abled leadership and guidance. The CAS also thanked the United States Government and the commitment of the prime contractor of the aircraft, Sierra Nevada Corporation.
Earlier, the Air Officer Commanding Air Training Command, Air Vice Marshal Nnamdi Ananaba had noted that the 10,000 flying hours logged translated to an average of approximately 9 hours of daily flying time (or 270 hours monthly) for the past 3 years with no break. He then attributed this feat to the countless hours spent in training, the sacrifices made by the brave combat pilots and the unwavering support of the ground crew. He went on to note that the 10,000 flying hours logged by the pilots in just 3 years and without any mishap was a remarkable milestone worthy of celebration even in the most advanced air forces in the world.
Nigerian Air Force A-29 Super Tucano
Nigerian Air Force A-29 Super Tucano fleet arrived the country by mid-July 2021. The A-29 alongside the newly delivered JF-17 Thunder multirole figher will form the core of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) offensive aerial component, particularly as part of the ongoing joint counterterrorism operation.
The A-29 Super Tucano, (export name A-29), is a turboprop light attack aircraft designed and built by Brazil’s Embraer as a low-intensity combat aircraft designed to be a low-cost system capable of a variety of missions including ground strikes, aerial interdiction, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) roles, as well as limited air defense duties (against helicopters and light turboprop aircraft).
In November 2018, SNC was awarded a $329 million Foreign Military Sales contract from the US government to build 12 A-29 Super Tucanos for the Nigerian Air Force.
The Super Tucano deal wasn’t without its own issues, in 2015, the leadership of the Armed Forces took a decision to replace the ailing Alpha jet platform of the with the newer A-29 Super Tucano, but the United States vetoed the deal, citing human rights issus with the military. The US also blocked Goodluck Jonathan from acquiring Boeing CH-47 Chinook and Bell AH-1Z helicopters from Israel in January 2015.
An act known as “Leahy Law” prohibits the US defence sector from providing military assistance to countries involved in human rights violations. The US Government at the time stated that it was not pleased with measures adopted against those accused of human rights abuse in the operational areas of the North-East.
By 2020, the first Nigerian Air Force A-29 Super Tucano light-attack turboprops conducted its maiden flight at the Florida production facility on 17 April.
In September 2020, it was revealed that the Nigerian Air Force A-29 Super Tucano will operate from the Kainji Air Base located in the western state of Niger at the southern end of Kainji Lake.
The United States Air Force then began construction of the facilities needed to support Nigeria’s new A-29 Super Tucano air wing. The contract for the construction was awarded by the US Air Force Security Assistance and Cooperation Directorate’s Foreign Military Sales Construction Division to the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Europe District, worth $36.1 million.
The United States Military also contracted an American company Relyant Global to quickly upgrade the future home of the Super Tucano A-29 combat aircraft in Kainji airbase.
In March 2021, the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USAGE) recently established a permanent presence in Africa to oversee key U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) projects which included the construction of new facilities for the A-29 Super Tucano wing at Kainji Airbase.”
The first batch of the A-29 Super Tucano aircraft arrived Kano, today 22 July 2021 from the United States. The A-29 Super Tucanos came in two different color scheme; Woodland camouflage and Desert brown camouflage.