Six Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were delivered to Niamey airport last month following a November 2021 order for the type from Turkey’s Baykar.
This was reported by RFI, with reports stating the six UAVs arrived at Niamey Airport in two Il-76 flights from a Ukrainian cargo company on 20 and 21 May.
Other reports indicate a UAV base is being built in the central region of the country, with an eye on monitoring the security situation in Libya and Mali.
Roketsan will be supplying missiles and smart rockets to Niger. They will likely be used to arm the Hurkus and TB2 aircraft – Roketsan manufactures the MAM and MAM-L guided munitions and UMTAS missiles used by the TB2. The Hurkus-C can carry L-UMTAS anti-tank guided missiles, Cirit laser-guided rockets, bombs, and cannon pods, although it is not clear which variant of the Hurkus Niger will be getting.