Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has confirmed orders for its Hurkus turboprop from Chad and Niger, with deliveries set to begin at the end of this year.
In November 2021 it was reported that Turkey would supply Hurkus light attack/trainer aircraft to Niger along with several Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and armoured personnel carriers from Nurol Makina. Hurkus deliveries were originally scheduled to begin in mid-2022 but two aircraft are now set to be delivered from the end of this year, Daily Sabah reports, quoting TAI Deputy General Manager Atilla Dogan. The first batch of Nigerien pilots are being trained ahead of deliveries.
Roketsan will be supplying missiles and smart rockets to Niger, which 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.