Armée Nigériane / Nigerian Armed Forces

Citation :

First Nigerian P-18N OPV launched in China


The first of the Nigerian Navy's (NN's) two P-18N offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) was launched by the China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co (CSOC) on 27 January.
The ceremony at Wuchang Shipyard in Wuhan, China, also marked the 'hull formation' of the second OPV (F 92).
Nigerian First Lady Patience Faka Jonathan said her husband's administration is committed to the recapitalisation of the Nigerian naval fleet to enable it to address various maritime security challenges.
The delivery of the OPV (F 91) is expected to take place by mid-2014, according to outgoing Nigerian Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Dele J Ezeobam who handed over to Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin on 20 January 2014.

http://www.janes.com/article/33187/first-nigerian-p-18n-opv-launched-in-china

Citation :

Damen livre un crew boat gris pour l’offshore nigérian

Moitié ravitailleur, moitié patrouilleur. C’est le navire hybride que le constructeur néerlandais Damen vient de livrer à Homeland Integrated Osshore Services Limited (HIOSL). Cette société  nigériane, créée en 2006 et basée à Lagos, est spécialisée dans les services à l’offshore pétrolier et gazier. Elle offre des prestations maritimes, de logistique, mais aussi de sécurité. Comme nous l’évoquions dans notre édition de mardi, les activités offshore au Nigeria sont, en effet, perturbées par des attaques répétées de navires. Dans ce contexte, certaines compagnies utilisent par exemple, pour le transport de personnel vers les plateformes, des crew boats blindés, capables de résister aux tirs d’armes automatiques, protégés par des militaires ou gardes nigérians et capables d’échapper aux assaillants grâce à une vitesse élevée.  




C’est dans cet esprit qu’a été conçu le Fast Crew Supplier (FCS) Guardian 1, qui vient d’achever ses essais au large des Pays Bas et, suite à sa livraison par Damen à HIOSL, va rejoindre Port Harcourt, au Nigeria. Présenté comme un « patrol vessel », c'est-à-dire un patrouilleur, ce navire adopte le design FCS 3307 développé par Damen. Il mesure 33.5 mètres de long et peut atteindre la vitesse de 30 nœuds. Disposant d’une surface de pont de 75 m² pour le stockage de matériel, il peut transporter 80 passagers. Il effectuera, ainsi, des missions de sécurité en mer, mais aussi du transfert de personnel et de fret entre Port Harcourt et les installations au large.

Le Guardian 1 est le troisième patrouilleur d’HIOSL, qui se dit très satisfaite du navire et ne cache pas son souhait d’élargir sa flotte, avec un projet de deux nouveaux patrouilleurs et deux ravitailleurs de plateformes de type PSV (Platform Supply Vessel).

M&M

Citation :

China to export P18N Offshore Patrol Vessel with stealth performance to Nigeria Navy




The first unit of a new class of offshore patrol vessel that China plans to export to Nigeria has been launched. It will be delivered in the middle of 2014 as scheduled. It will become the first ship of the Nigerian navy's P18N project. During an interview, Major General Yin Zhuo made particular mention of the vessel's stealth performance.



On the stealth performance of F91, Yin Zhuo pointed out that the ship's bows lean slightly inward, and bevels are superimposed on the upper part of the deck; as a result, the radar reflection points are few and the radar image is small. He pointed out that an 1,800-ton ship with stealth capacity will have the radar reflection area of a ship of about 500 tons; it can be discovered only when it is very close to the radar of enemy, and cannot be observed if an appropriate distance is kept from the enemy radar.
In April 2012, Nigeria signed a contract with China to build two P18N OPVs. Under the contract, the lead ship was to be built in Wuhan with construction starting in October 2012, while the second unit is expected to be partially built in Nigeria.

P18N Offshore Patrol Vessels have a displacement 1,800, a length of 95 m, width of 12.2 m and beam of 3.5 m. It is powered by two MTU 20V 4000M diesel engines. The maximum speed is 21 knots.

The endurance of the vessel is 20 days at sea for a crew of 70 sailors. These OPVs are fitted with a H/PJ26 76mm main gun mount and two H/PJ14 30mm gun mounts. The class may accomodate a Z- 9 helicopter thanks to its helipad and hangar at the stern.

http://www.navyrecognition.com

Citation :

Nigerian Navy considers surplus Sea Knight and Seasprite helos




A delegation from the Nigerian Navy recently visited the United States to discuss the procurement of surplus Boeing-Vertol HH-46 Sea Knight and Kaman H-2 Seasprite helicopters from the US Marine Corps (USMC), the US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) announced on 17 March.
The delegation arrived at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point in North Carolina on 4 February for a visit to NAVAIR's Specialized and Proven Aircraft Program Office (PMA-226) that included a search and rescue flight demonstration aboard HH-46E helicopter. While NAVAIR said that the Nigerian Navy is interested in procuring surplus HH-46E and H-2 platforms, the command did not reveal possible numbers or delivery timelines.
With the HH-46E in the process of being replaced by the Bell-Boeing MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor, and the H-2 now long-retired from US Navy service, there are numerous examples of both types at 'the boneyard' at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona. As Excess Defense Articles (EDA), the helicopters would only cost Nigeria the expense of retrieving them from the boneyard and re-equipping them for flight operations. The airframes and engines would be gifted, free of charge.
The Nigerian Navy currently operates an air arm made up of three Fokker F27 transport aircraft, four AgustaWestland AW109 Power and two AW139 utility helicopters, two Westland Lynx Mk89 anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters, and two Bell 206B JetRanger training helicopters.
It is not clear if the HH-46Es or H-2s to be procured would augment or replace any of the types already in service, but with the operational status of the Lynx platforms in doubt it is probable that these would be replaced by the H-2 in the ASW role. Most of the Nigerian Navy's aviation assets are land-based, with only the NNS Aradu MEKO Type 360 frigate capable of embarking Lynx/H-2-class helicopters.

http://www.janes.com/article/35527/nigerian-navy-considers-surplus-sea-knight-and-seasprite-helos

Citation :

Nigerian Navy receives three patrol boats

The Nigerian Navy has taken delivery of one Manta and two OCEA patrol boats, donated by the Nigerian Port Authority to fight maritime crime.

The boats were handed over by the Port Authority (NPA) on March 18 during a ceremony attended by the Managing Director of the NPA Mallam Habib Abdullahi, who said the handover demonstrated the Authority’s determination to collaborate and partner with other relevant government agencies to secure the nation’s territorial waters both off shore and on shore.

Abdullahi added that “We are optimistic that these patrol boats, consisting of one 32 meters OCEA named NNS Dorina and two 17 meters Manta boats named NNS Torie and NNS Egede, with their unique operational features and capacities, will augment the fleets of the Nigerian Navy in their search and rescue operations within the nation’s water fronts”.

The OCEA patrol boats are FPB 98 models. The company delivered three 24 metre FPB 72 patrol craft to the Navy in 2012.
The Managing Director also disclosed that the Authority in collaboration with Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has plans to rehabilitate the Navy’s Forward Operational Base (FOB) at Takwa Bay.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Usman Jubrin, said the donation could not have come at a etter time considering the prevailing security challenges in the nation’s maritime domain.

Represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral S I Alade, the Chief of Naval Staff noted that Nigeria’s Maritime space is of immense importance to the nation’s maritime domain.

The recent acquisitions are part of a string of orders from the Nigerian Navy. Late last year it emerged that the service had taken delivery of three new 17 metre-long Manta Mk II ASD Littoral Interceptors and one new 25 metre-long Shaldag Mk II Fast Patrol Craft.

The four boats were commissioned into service at the NNS Beecroft Naval Base on Victoria Island in Lagos in November.

The NN now has 22 of the 17 metre-long Manta Mk II ASD Littoral Interceptors while the number of Israeli-made Shaldag Fast Patrol Craft (FPC) vessels has increased to five. The first two Shaldag FPCs were delivered in 2009 while two more were commissioned into service in February 2013.

The Suncraft International Manta Mk II is powered by two 1 200 hp diesel engines, giving a top speed between 45 and 50 knots. The 16.5 metre long vessels feature ballistic protection, carry a crew of six and have a range of 250 nautical miles at 35 knots.
The Nigerian Navy is expected to receive two P-18N offshore patrols vessels from China in the second half of this year and is expected to take delivery of two more ex-US Coastguard vessels, USNS John McDonnell and USCGC Gallatin, in due course.

http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=34158:nigerian-navy-receives-three-patrol-boats&catid=51:Sea&Itemid=106

Citation :

USCG decommissions cutter destined for Nigeria


The US Coast Guard (USCG) decommissioned the Hamilton-class cutter USCGC Gallatin on 31 March in preparation for handing it over to the Nigerian Navy.
The vessel will be officially transferred to Nigeria on 7 May, the USCG told IHS Jane's . The Nigerian Navy will be able to sail the vessel away once the upgrades, maintenance, and training services it has requested are completed, which is expected to happen in the third quarter of 2014.
Nigeria already has a Hamilton-class vessel, which was transferred in 2011 and renamed NNS Thunder .

http://www.janes.com/article/36311/uscg-decommissions-cutter-destined-for-nigeria

Citation :

Nigeria to buy new fighters, choppers
Associated Press
ABUJA, Nigeria — The chief of Nigeria’s air force says it is buying new fighter jets and helicopters.The air force has been pivotal in an offensive to curb an Islamic uprising in the northeast with near-daily bombing raids on insurgent hideouts in forests and caves along the border with Cameroon.Air Marshal Adesola Amosu said Wednesday that the government has approved the acquisition of fighter aircraft and helicopters as well as upgrades for some existing aircraft. The air force uses mainly Chinese Chengdu-F7 multi-role fighters and Russian Mi-35 attack helicopters. Amosu said C-130 and G-222 transport planes also are being used in the conflict.Extremists destroyed two helicopter gunships and three decommissioned fighter jets in an attack on a base in the northeastern city of Maiduguri in December.

http://www.heraldnet.com

Citation :

Nigeria receives ex-US Coast Guard cutter Gallatin



The Nigerian Navy yesterday received the former US Coast Guard cutter Gallatin during a formal ceremony in Charleston, the United States, where it was renamed NNS Okpabana.

The vessel was decommissioned on March 31 after 45 years of service. Personnel from the Nigerian Navy have been in Charleston for training on the vessel prior to its delivery voyage.

The transfer ceremony on Wednesday was attended by Nigerian Navy officers, coast guardsmen and visitors, who witnessed the lowering of the US flag and its replacement by the Nigerian flag, reports the Charleston Post Courier. At the end of the ceremony, Nigerian Navy personnel went aboard the vessel o take command.

Coast Guard Rear Admiral Bruce Baffer and Nigerian Minister of State for Defence Musiliu Obanikoro signed transfer documents in front of spectators, marking the official handoff of the ship to Nigeria.

“It’s with a heavy heart that this proud ship will no longer sail among our fleet of high-endurance cutters. But that sadness is tempered with pride as she begins a new life under the capable watch of professional sailors and now our close friends,” said Baffer.

“(The vessel) will continue to execute humanitarian missions for Nigeria, an important ally, security partner and collaborator in the struggle against global terror….Our two countries are united in our common goals for peace, safety, security and freedom of the seas.”

"We will cherish this. It signals the common interest of both American and Nigeria to strengthen the capacity of Nigeria to protect our waters and offshore resources,” Obanikoro was quoted by the Charlotte Observer as saying.

The Navy Times said Gallatin has had a busy career, covering such missions as maritime law enforcement, humanitarian relief, search and rescue and ambassadorial duties. Last year the cutter seized several tons of cocaine being smuggled from Latin America and the Caribbean. Apart from drug missions, Gallatin was involved in dealing with the mass migration of 27 000 Cubans in 1994; the search for the crew of the HMS Bounty during Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and in responding to the St Vincent volcano eruption of 1979.

The 3 250 ton vessel is the last high endurance cutter on the East Coast to be commissioned, although there are seven still in service on America’s West Coast. Gallatin will be replaced by a more modern cutter, the USCGC Hamilton, which requires only 120 crew compared to the 170 needed for the elderly Gallatin.

The 115 metre long 3 250 ton Gallatin is a member of the Hamilton class – the Nigerian Navy has already taken delivery of the Hamilton class cutter Chase (now NNS Thunder), which was commissioned in January 2012. Other vessels received from the United States include the NNS Obula, Nwamba, Kyanwa and Ologbo.

Although an elderly vessel, NNS Thunder was the only African naval ship to participate in the Royal Australian Navy Centenary International Fleet Review, sailing to Australia in August 2013 and returning in December.

Gallatin, introduced into Coast Guard service in 1968, is equipped with a helicopter flight deck, retractable hangar and a fast boat. The High Endurance Cutter has four main engines and can be driven by either twin diesel engines or twin gas turbines via two controllable-pitch propellers.

Last year Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba, said Gallatin, as well as the US Navy Survey Ship John McDonnell also destined for the Nigerian Navy, would be inspected between May and August 2014.

The USNS John McDonnell was deactivated on August 25, 2010, as the US Navy streamlined survey operations. The 63 metre, 2 054 ton oceanographic survey vessel can launch two 34 foot launches.

http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=34581:nigeria-receives-ex-us-coast-guard-cutter-gallatin&catid=51:Sea&Itemid=106

Citation :

Drones Nigeria bought from Israel grounded, reveals manufacturers


By EMMA EMEOZOR, with agency report Aircraft manufacturers have revealed how Nigeria bought Israeli surveillance drones years ago, which are now grounded owing to poor maintenance.

Had the planes handy, they would have been deployed to hunt Boko Haram, especially on the abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, they stated.

“To the best of our knowledge, these systems aren’t operational,” Tsur Dvir, marketing officer for Aeronautics Defense Systems, a firm based south of Tel Aviv, Israel that supplied Nigeria with Aerostar unmanned aerial vehicles, told Reuters yesterday.

Dvir, speaking on the sidelines of a conference organised by Israel Defense magazine, told Reuters that since the drones were purchased several years ago, Nigerian clients had not commissioned Aeronautics to carry out any routine maintenance.

“We did receive an inquiry from them about spare parts, but it never turned into a deal. I wish it had,” Dvir said, arguing that with their extensive flying range and thermal cameras capable of picking up body heat at night, the Aerostars could have helped screen northern Nigeria for the missing girls.

“They (drones) are probably parked in a yard somewhere, “ Dvir stated, but declining to say how many Aerostars were bought by Nigeria.

Reuters reported that Nigeria’s defence spokesman could not be reached for comments.

Last December, the Federal Government also unveiled a locally made drone at an Air Force base in Kaduna, although it has not flown since.

A government adviser said the Israeli drones were among many procurements that quickly went obsolete owing to lack of maintenance.

Reuters said a Federal Government source and a former Israeli military attaché to Nigeria both confirmed the information, although they said details were sketchy owing to the secretive nature of Israeli-Nigerian military cooperation.

The former attaché said the deal was struck in 2006, with a view to deploying the drones in the oil-producing Niger Delta, where militants were attacking crude pipelines and kidnapping oil workers before an amnesty three years later. They never flew.

Neither source, nor the company, knew how many had been bought, but an aerospace industry source said they each would have been worth between $15 million and $17 million.

http://sunnewsonline.com

Citation :

NIGERIAN ARMY TROOPS PICTURED IN STREIT SPARTAN MK.III APCs; VEHICLES ARE NEW TO THE INVENTORY

Posted on June 16, 2014







Nigerian troops fighting in the Northeast have now been photographed in recently delivered Streit Spartan Mk.III APCs. These APCs are new to the inventory as the Nigerian Army had never operated any Streit APC types before now, something which used to be the exclusive preserve of the Nigeria Police Force which field the Spartan Mk.II and Cougar Mk.II APCs.

PHOTO CREDIT: SIRIUS BLACK

http://beegeagle.wordpress.com/2014/06/16/nigerian-army-troops-pictured-in-streit-spartan-mk-iii-apcs-vehicles-are-new-to-the-inventory/

Citation :

UNITED STATES GOVT TRANSFER MILITARY EQUIPMENT TO THE NIGERIAN ARMY

Posted on June 26, 2014






BUSINESS DAY
25 June, 2014

On Monday, June 23, 2014 in the Aguiyi Ironsi Cantonment, Brigade of Guards headquarters, Abuja, the United States Government transferred to the Nigerian Army non-lethal transportation, communication and force protection equipment in support of the Nigerian Army’s battle against terrorism.

According to a statement from the US Mission in Nigeria, Major General Ibrahim Sani, Chief of Army Transformation and Innovation, received the equipment from General Linder on behalf of the Nigerian Army. He said the equipment will enhance the operational capabilities of the Nigerian Army.

During a courtesy call on Army Headquarters, Brigadier General James B.Linder, Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command Africa, was received by Major General John A H Ewansiha, Chief of Army Training and Operations (CTOPS), Nigerian Army Headquarters.  

http://beegeagle.wordpress.com/2014/06/26/united-states-govt-transfer-military-equipment-to-the-nigerian-army-2/

Citation :

Nigerian Air Force Mi-35 Helicopter crashes

Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters says investigation has commenced to unravel the circumstances that led to the crash of a Nigerian Air Force Mi-35 Helicopter on training mission Monday afternoon.1403017447481

The Mi-35 Helicopter, according to the Defence Headquarters crashed due to a technical fault at a location South of Bama.

It is not clear if any life was lost but the Defence Headquarters has ruled out possibility of any attack.

“The Bama Crash is not as a result of any enemy action. Further details will be made known as Investigation continues,” the Defence Headquarters stated on social media

http://thenewsnigeria.com.ng

Citation :

Le Nigeria se dote d'avions de surveillance maritime dernier cri contre la piraterie
   
Lagos, 19 août 2014 (AFP) -

L'armée nigériane a présenté mardi à la presse un nouvel avion de surveillance maritime dernier cri pour protéger ses côtes des attaques de pirates qui ne cessent d'augmenter.

L'agence fédérale de sécurité maritime et l'armée de l'air disposeront au total de sept de ces avions ATR42-500 équipés chacun de système de caméras, capteurs et radar, selon le sergent Sunday Olalekan Omotosho.

"Aucun bateau ne pourra échapper à notre surveillance quand le système sera complètement opérationnel", a-t-il affirmé aux reporters qui ont embarqué pour un vol de démonstration de Lagos à Escravos, dans le Delta du Niger, la région pétrolière du sud-est du Nigeria.

L'avion, dont le prix d'achat n'a pas été précisé, peut voler à seulement 200 pieds (environ 60 mètres) au-dessus de la mer et transmettre des informations à l'armée de l'air, qui peut dépêcher des avions de chasse si nécessaire, a expliqué le sergent Omotosho.

"Avec cet avion, nous pouvons repérer n'importe quel bateau à des centaines de kilomètres à la ronde, a déclaré le colonel Enobong Eneh Effiom. Notre objectif est de combattre toute forme de criminalité maritime dans le pays".

Le Nigeria a subi 31 attaques de pirates au large de ses côtes depuis le début de l'année, le plus mauvais bilan depuis 2008. Les pirates volent du pétrole, des marchandises, ou enlèvent des marins contre rançon.

Selon le Bureau maritime international, la piraterie maritime s'est nettement accru au large des côtes de l'Afrique de l'Ouest, représentant un cinquième du total des attaques dans le monde l'année dernière.

http://www.marine-oceans.com/actualites-afp/8609-le-nigeria-se-dote-davions-de-surveillance-maritime-dernier-cri-contre-la-piraterie  

Citation :

Nigerian Air Force acquiring AW101 helicopters

The Nigerian Air Force will soon take delivery of two AgustaWestland AW101 helicopters, which will be used for VIP transport duties.

One of the AW101s was seen at AgustaWestland’s facility in Yeovil, Somerset, in the United Kingdom painted in Nigerian Air Force (NAF) VIP colours. The aircraft will presumably be operated by the NAF’s 101 Presidential Air Fleet in Abuja, according to Air Forces Daily.

The Nigerian AW101s were originally scheduled to be delivered to the Indian Air Force, but the Indian contract was subsequently cancelled following allegations of bribery and corruption.

The NAF has been receiving a number of new aircraft recently and late last month took delivery of three Beechcraft King Air 350i light transport aircraft, which are operated by the 209 Executive Airlift Group (EAG) at Abuja-Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. The 209 EAG recently officially accepted an Mi-17-V5 helicopter, which had previously been operated by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for search and rescue duties.

Furthermore, the Nigerian government has apparently ordered 40 helicopters for attack and transport duties from the United States and Russia. This Day said the helicopters could start arriving as early as this month and the remainder could arrive by the end of the year.

It was earlier reported that Nigeria is receiving two helicopter gunships, most likely Mi-35s. The Nigerian Budget Office this year allocated funds for six Mi-35M helicopters.

On a related note, the Nigerian Air Force’s Mil Mi-34C helicopters have been transferred to New Zealand. Between eight and 12 were delivered around 2002 for pilot training but had been withdrawn by 2011 due to gearbox issues. By December 2013, six of the original batch had arrived in New Zealand.

http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=35923&catid=74&Itemid=30

Citation :

WHEN NIGERIAN TROOPS RETOOK THE BORNO TOWN OF DAMBOA

Posted on August 24, 2014 by beegeagle


Smart-looking Nigerian troops march into Damboa on either side of an Otokar Cobra APC


Nigerian troops undertake confidence-building patrols after the insurgents were cleared out of Damboa


Nigerian troops atop an unfamiliar armoured vehicle(surely not a MOWAG APC) move into Damboa with
a M56-2 105mm artillery system in tow


Nigerian troops in a TATA truck enter Damboa with a M56-2 howitzer trailing


Nigerian soldiers clustered around a M56-2 105mm artllery piece at Damboa.

PHOTO CREDIT: DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS (NIGERIA)

http://beegeagle.wordpress.com/2014/08/24/when-nigerian-troops-retook-the-borno-town-of-damboa-2/

Citation :

NIGERIAN AIR FORCE CREW PERFORM AN ISR MISSION IN AN ALENIA ATR 42-500
SURVEYOR ELINT/MPA PLANE

Posted on August 24, 2014  





http://beegeagle.wordpress.com/2014/08/24/nigerian-air-force-crew-perform-an-isr-mission-in-an-alenia-atr-42-500-surveyor-elintmpa-plane/

Citation :

NIGERIAN AIR FORCE BEGIN TAKING DELIVERY OF STATE-OF-THE-ART Mi35M HELICOPTERS
(ABSOLUTE WORLD EXCLUSIVE PHOTO)

Posted on September 3, 2014 by beegeagle



In this one-of-a-kind photo which was shot on Friday 29th August, 2014 and posted originally and exclusively on BEEGEAGLE’S BLOG, a freshly delivered Mi-35M attack helicopter can be seen being unloaded from a giant Antonov cargo plane at a location in northern Nigeria (details withheld by me for security reasons). This is the only photo of this mean machine in cyberspace as I write this…a true global exclusive.

The roundel of the NAF is visible on this side towards the tail end and of course, it is the only MiL attack helicopter of the NAF thus far pictured in desert camouflage colour scheme. Its special adaptations are visible from here.

Congratulations to the NAF….Africa’s first PROVEN (not merely claiming) user of the Mi-35M.

http://beegeagle.wordpress.com/2014/09/03/nigerian-air-force-begin-taking-delivery-of-state-of-the-art-mi35m-helicopters-absolute-world-exclusive-photo/

Citation :

Un avion de la Nigerian Air Force porté disparu

AFP 14/09/2014

Un avion de la Nigerian Air Force est porté disparu depuis 48 heures après avoir survolé l'extrême nord-est du pays, où l'armée combat les membres du groupe islamiste armé Boko Haram, a annoncé un porte-parole militaire dimanche.

L'avion, un Alpha Jet, avec deux pilotes à bord, avait quitté vendredi sa base de Yola, dans l'Etat d'Adamawa, vers 09H45, et devait regagner sa base vers midi le même jour.
"Depuis, tous les efforts pour établir un contact avec l'avion n'ont abouti à aucun résultat positif", a précisé le porte-parole, Chris Olukolade, dans un communiqué.

Des équipes de spécialistes et des secours tentent de localiser l'avion et d'entrer en contact avec l'équipage.
L'Alpha Jet est un avion de conception franco-allemande (Dassault-Breguet/Dornier), datant de 1970. L'appareil est conçu pour l'attaque au sol et l'entraînement.

L'avion a été construit à 512 exemplaires et est utilisé par une dizaine de pays, dont le Nigeria, le Cameroun, la Côte d'Ivoire et le Togo, selon le website du site du constructeur français Dassault.
Le porte-parole n'a pas précisé si l'avion porté disparu avait été utilisé contre les rebelles de Boko Haram, mais des habitants vivant à Yola et dans ses environs ont déclaré à l'AFP la semaine dernière que le nombre de survols aériens avait substantiellement augmenté.

Des habitants à Adamawa et dans l'Etat voisin de Borno ont également indiqué que des avions de combat avaient survolé la zone alors que l'armée nigériane annonçait le 11 septembre avoir lancé une offensive terrestre et aérienne pour reprendre le contrôle de la ville de Michika (nord-est) prise par le groupe islamiste Boko Haram.

Le groupe islamiste s'est emparé de plusieurs villes des Etats de Yobe, Borno et Adamawa, dans le nord-est, ces dernières semaines.
Boko Haram veut établir un califat, un Etat islamique rigoriste, dans le nord-est du Nigeria.
Les combattants de Boko Haram ont progressé de manière fulgurante depuis quelques semaines, infligeant une série de défaites à l'armée nigériane et s'emparant de nombreuses localités, où ils ont multiplié les massacres et exactions contre les civils.

http://www.lorientlejour.com/article/885958/un-avion-de-la-nigerian-air-force-porte-disparu.html

Citation :

Russia, Nigeria Sign Contract for Mi-171Sh, Mi-35 Helicopters

MOSCOW, September 12 (RIA Novosti) – Russia and Nigeria have signed a contract for the supply of Mi-171Sh and Mi-35 helicopters, Rosoboronexport deputy general director Sergei Goreslavsky told reporters Friday.

"The Mi-171Sh machine is in steady demand on the foreign market. A contract with Nigeria was recently signed," Goreslavsky said, commenting on the August contract. According to him, the helicopter is in demand in Africa, and Mozambique is very interested in the rotorcraft.

Rosoboronexport"s top manager said several Mi-35M"s will be also sent to Nigeria, without specifying the number of machines under the contract.

Developed from the Mi-8 airframe, the troop-carrying helicopters Mi-171Sh, with the Mi-8AMTSh version for the Russian market, are produced at the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant. They can be fitted with missiles and air defense equipment.

The helicopter can carry up to 36 paratroopers or 12 injured on stretchers, and cargo weighing up to 4 tons inside the cabin and on its external sling. Mi-171Sh"s sent to Kazakhstan are equipped with flight navigation and radio communication equipment. The chopper was first deployed by the Russian Army in 2009.

Citation :

Nigerian AW101 makes debut flight

By: Dominic Perry London

AgustaWestland on 19 September performed the maiden flight of the first of two VIP transport-roled AW101 helicopters for the Nigerian air force from its Yeovil manufacturing facility in Somerset.

Previously allocated to India as part of the nation's now-cancelled order for 12 of the 15t-class rotorcraft, the helicopter will eventually bear the registration NAF280.


Rick Ingham

Nigeria has also recently signed a deal with Russian Helicopters covering the acquisition of an unspecified number of Mil Mi-35 attack helicopters and Mi-171 transports. The deal follows the nation's previous introduction of second-hand examples of both Russian-produced types, in the Mi-24 and Mi-8 standards.

Local media reports have not included details on the precise number of new aircraft covered by the contract, but have referred to “a substantial amount”.

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/nigerian-aw101-makes-debut-flight-404100/

Citation :

Des jihadistes du groupe Boko Haram ont décapité un pilote de la force aérienne nigériane  



Il y a maintenant un mois, un Alpha Jet de la Force Aérienne Nigériane s'est écrasé dans l'extrême Nord-Est du Nigéria, alors que ce dernier, occupé par un pilote en place avant, ainsi qu'un second aviateur en place arrière, effectuait une "missions opérationnelle" contre les jihadistes du groupe Boko Haram, qui a installé un califat dans le Nord du Nigéria.

Bien que l'Etat Major Nigérian avait mené des recherches afin de reprendre contact avec l'aéronef, ces dernières se sont relevées infructueuses. De plus, Chris Olukolade, le porte-paroles de l'Etat Major Nigérian, n'avait pas indiqué si les pilotes de chasse participaient à une mission contre ce groupe jihadiste, ou si ils étaient en mission d'entraînement. Cependant, et selon l'AFP qui avait repris les témoignages d'habitants vivant dans le secteur de l'accident, "le nombre de survols aériens avait substantiellement augmenté".

Au début du mois d'Octobre, les réseaux sociaux ont fait circuler une photo où l'on pouvait croire y voir Abubakar Shekau, le chef du groupe jihadiste Boko Haram mort. Le porte-paroles de l'Etat Major Nigérian avait même confirmé cette information, où ce dernier expliquait que ce chef avait trouvé la mort lors d'un accrochage. Mais ce n'est pas la première fois que Abubakar Shekau est donné pour mort, c'est même la troisième fois, comme le rappelle le site Zone Militaire dans un de ses articles, en précisant que "Abubakar Shekau avait déjà été donné pour mort par les autorités nigérianes à deux reprises, en 2009 puis en 2013" et que le porte-paroles avait également indiqué que "l’homme tué à Konduga est « l’imitateur » du chef de Boko Haram, c’est à dire un « sosie » qui aurait pris sa place".

Le fait est, que le chef de Boko Haram est bien en vie, puisque ce dernier a publié une vidéo le 02 Octobre, où il explique être encore en vie, posant devant des pick-up, avec des soldats à ses côtés.

De plus, et c'est l'objet de cet article, la vidéo montre également, selon Associated Press, la carcasse d'un aéronef de la Force Aérienne Nigériane, ainsi que la décapitation d'un homme, qui se présente comme être le commandant d'un escadron. Ce dernier indique qu'il est "un pilote de l'armée de l'air nigériane. Le 11 Septembre, [il a] été affecté pour une mission à Kawuri, dans l'Etat de Borno. Pendant la mission [ils ont] été abattus et [leur] avion s'est écrasé". Il n'est pas possible de savoir si les jihadistes du groupe islamique ont réellement abattu l'Alpha Jet, ou si il a été victime d'un problème technique, mais la première option n'est vraiment pas à exclure. Il ajoute notamment qu'à "ce jour, [il] ne sais pas où est le deuxième pilote. [Il a] été pris en charge par Boko Haram, et au moment de l'accident, [il a été blessé]".

Photo : Capture d'écran de la vidéo publiée par Boko Haram, où l'on y voit la carcasse de l'appareil qui s'est écrasé.

http://www.defens-aero.com/2014/10/des-jihadistes-du-groupe-boko-haram-ont-decapite-un-pilote-de-la-force-aerienne-nigeriane.html

Citation :

Niger buys "spy plane" to combat Sahel militants

Oct 22 (Reuters) - The government of Niger has purchased a reconnaissance plane as part of its effort to combat Islamist fighters and criminal gangs operating on its vast territory, the West African country's interior minister said on Wednesday.

Located in the arid Sahel band and with porous borders with Mali, Libya and Nigeria, smugglers and Islamic militants regularly crisscross Niger's sparsely inhabited territory.

French forces deployed in the country destroyed a convoy transporting weapons from Libya to Mali and captured fighters linked to al Qaeda earlier this month.

"We've bought and received shipment of a reconnaissance plane, a spy plane purchased with 7 billion CFA francs ($13.5 million) of our own funds," said Hassoumi Massaoudou, Niger's minister of the interior and public security.

Speaking on state-run radio, Masssaoudou declined to give further information of the type of plane or details of the purchase. He said it would be operated by Niger's intelligence service, the General Direction of Documentation and External Security.

The United States already operates unarmed surveillance drones in Niger, having deployed them after a French-led military operation in 2013 destroyed an al Qaeda enclave in neighbouring northern Mali.

Supported by some 120 U.S. military personnel, they operate from a base outside the capital Niamey, though Washington is considering moving the operation to Agadez, 750 km (460 miles) northeast of Niamey.

About 3,000 French troops are now operating out of Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad - countries straddling the vast Sahel band - with the aim of stamping out Islamist fighters across the region.

Paris is setting up a base in northern Niger as part of its new counter-terrorism operation.

(1 US dollar = 518.6700 CFA franc) (Reporting b