Nigerien state-owned television channel Tele Sahel showed the AKSUNGUR UCAV produced by TUSAŞ, alongside the images of Nigerien operators on ground control.
Following the HÜRKUŞ-C light attack aircraft, Niger’s next aircraft from TUSAŞ is the AKSUNGUR UCAV. This adds the second type of UAV with long endurance and armament after the lighter Bayraktar TB2 armed UAV to the African country’s inventory.
The AKSUNGUR UCAV in use by the Nigerien military is seen with ROKETSAN’s TEBER Laser/GPS-guided bomb, which has a significantly greater yield compared to the MAM series of munitions.
However, the firepower is not the only difference. AKSUNGUR’s endurance of 50+ hours and capability to mount SAR alongside the nose-mounted electro-optical system make it ideal for ISR missions. This is an important capability for Niger conducting counter-terrorism operations against organisations like ISSP and Boko Haram.
Niger’s HÜRKUŞ-C Light Attack Aircraft
Niger is also a user of TUSAŞ’s HÜRKUŞ-C light attack aircraft derived from the HÜRKUŞ basic trainer. Also seen on Tele Sahel, HÜRKUŞ-C of Niger was seen with a pair of four-round pods for CİRİT 70 mm laser-guided missiles and MAM-L guided munitions. In addition to these, the aircraft was tested with LGK-81 laser-guided bomb, TOGAN light munition, and UMTAS anti-tank missile.
Aircraft of the same class as HÜRKUŞ-C are popular in Africa due to their ease of use, low cost, and capability to use modern guided munitions. This makes them valuable as close air support assets in the region coupled with the inherent agility.
