Ariegsa, an Egyptian company known for providing tailored solutions for high-level needs and integrating defense and attack systems across diverse platforms will supply simulators to the Nigerian Air Force.
Ariegsa and the Nigerian Air Force signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide simulators for all aircraft operated by the Nigerian Air Force.
The commitment was made on 4 September 2024, when The Nigerian Air Force Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar attended the Egypt International Airshow held at El-Alamein International Airport.
According to a statement by Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), AVM Edward Gabkwet,
“Ariegsa is particularly renowned for its expertise in manufacturing aircraft simulators. As a result, the NAF signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the company to construct a simulator for each aircraft type in the NAF Order of Battle. It was also agreed that the simulators would be built in Nigeria in collaboration with NAF engineers to facilitate knowledge transfer.”
The statement noted that “joining the CAS on the trip were the Director of Training, Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Idris, and the Commander of the 301 Heavy Airlift Group, Air Commodore Adebayo Bamidele.”
Although, the details surrounding the contract is not yet made known, however, the Nigerian Air Force operates a large variety of aircraft to cover almost all spectrum of aerial warfare.
The Nigerian Air Force is already familiar with the use of modern simulators for its aircraft. For instance, in February 2022, Nigerian Air Force A-29 Super Tucano pilots began training, in part, using a highly realistic A-29 Super Tucano full flight simulator. The United States supplied A-29 Super Tucano full flight simulator to the Nigerian Air Force as part of the $500 million deal for the aircraft.
Also, Nigerian-based helicopter support company Caverton Aviation are providing full flight simulator training services the the Nigerian military since 2021.
Caverton Aviation Training Center – CATC provides training in a comfortable, controlled learning environment.
