On August 20, 2023, the Twitter account DefenseNigeria released photos showcasing a complete Bayraktar TB2 system, announcing its delivery scheduled for October. This confirmation aligns with Military Africa’s report from September 2022.
By September 2022, Nigeria had reportedly ordered the Turkish Bayraktar TB2 system. Nigerian Senator Ali Ndume, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, stated that Nigerian UAV pilots were undergoing training in Turkey.
The photos released by @DefenseNigeria actually feature a Bayraktar TB2 system, which includes two mobile Ground Control Stations and six Bayraktar TB2 Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs). Each system comprises six Bayraktar TB2 drones, two Ground Control Stations (GCS), three Ground Data Terminals (GDT), two Remote Video Terminals (RVT), and a Ground Support Unit (GSU) for battery recharging and maintenance. The system’s redundant control architecture allows the pilot, payload operator, and mission commander to command, control, and monitor the aircraft.
This acquisition will make Nigeria and Niger the largest operators of Turkish-made Bayraktar UCAVs in the region, with both countries operating six units each.
The Bayraktar TB2 is a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) UCAV developed by Baykar, Turkey’s leading defense technology company. Since its inaugural flight in 2014, it has gained significant attention, especially during the early stages of the conflict in Ukraine. The drone costs between $1 million and $2 million per unit, making it an affordable option compared to the nearly $20 million per drone for a Protector drone manufactured by General Atomics.