Why US Sold A-29 Super Tucano Fighter Planes To Nigeria — Envoy

The United States has said that A-29 Super Tucanos were sold to
Nigeria to strengthen the country’s fight against terrorism.

The US’ Chargé d’Affaires Kathleen FitzGibbon said this during
the inspection of the newly arrived first six American Sierra
Nevada Corporation/Embraer Defense and Security A-29 “Super Tucano”
Light Attack aircraft on Tuesday.

A statement by United States Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria
quoted FitzGibbon as saying that the aircraft represented a
historic level of cooperation achieved between the U.S. and
Nigerian militaries.

“Beyond the new hardware that you see on this runway, this
program has brought our two militaries closer in formal training,
professional development, air base construction, logistics
planning, and negotiations. We are proud to partner with Nigeria in
its ‘whole of government’ approach to end violent extremism and
ensure a more stable, prosperous country for all Nigerians,”
FitzGibbon added.

Also, Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard welcomed the pilots and
aircraft to Massachusetts on the first leg of their trans-Atlantic
flight.

The statement added, “The Super Tucano is a dual-pilot turboprop
aircraft built as a workhorse combat air platform, equipped for
intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and for
precision air-to-ground strike missions. The next six aircraft are
scheduled for delivery later this year.

“The Super Tucano platform for Nigeria is the United States’
largest Foreign Military Sales program in Sub-Saharan Africa,
valued at almost $500 million. This program follows the Department
of Defense’s “Total Package Approach” model and includes spare
parts for several years of operation, contract logistics support,
munitions, and a multi-year construction project to improve
Kainji’s infrastructure.

“Through this program, the U.S. Air Force’s 81st Fighter
Squadron at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, trained Nigerian pilots
and maintenance crews to U.S. standards. Training also emphasizes
the Law of Armed Conflict and Civilian Casualty Mitigation, which
are fundamental principles of the Nigerian military’s professional
education and training.

“With the A-29 Super Tucano purchase, the Nigerian Air Force
also has become a founding member of the U.S. Air Force’s “Combined
Light Attack Experiment,” which is developing Light Attack global
best-practice tactics and doctrine for the 21st century.”

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), had
placed an order for 12 Super Tucano fighter jets after extensive
discussions with the US government.

The Nigerian Air Force last Thursday took delivery of the first
batch of six jets from the US.

The United States has said that A-29 Super Tucanos were sold to
Nigeria to strengthen the country’s fight against terrorism.

The US’ Chargé d’Affaires Kathleen FitzGibbon said this during
the inspection of the newly arrived first six American Sierra
Nevada Corporation/Embraer Defense and Security A-29 “Super Tucano”
Light Attack aircraft on Tuesday.

A statement by United States Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria
quoted FitzGibbon as saying that the aircraft represented a
historic level of cooperation achieved between the U.S. and
Nigerian militaries.

“Beyond the new hardware that you see on this runway, this
program has brought our two militaries closer in formal training,
professional development, air base construction, logistics
planning, and negotiations. We are proud to partner with Nigeria in
its ‘whole of government’ approach to end violent extremism and
ensure a more stable, prosperous country for all Nigerians,”
FitzGibbon added.

Also, Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard welcomed the pilots and
aircraft to Massachusetts on the first leg of their trans-Atlantic
flight.

The statement added, “The Super Tucano is a dual-pilot turboprop
aircraft built as a workhorse combat air platform, equipped for
intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and for
precision air-to-ground strike missions. The next six aircraft are
scheduled for delivery later this year.

“The Super Tucano platform for Nigeria is the United States’
largest Foreign Military Sales program in Sub-Saharan Africa,
valued at almost $500 million. This program follows the Department
of Defense’s “Total Package Approach” model and includes spare
parts for several years of operation, contract logistics support,
munitions, and a multi-year construction project to improve
Kainji’s infrastructure.

“Through this program, the U.S. Air Force’s 81st Fighter
Squadron at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, trained Nigerian pilots
and maintenance crews to U.S. standards. Training also emphasizes
the Law of Armed Conflict and Civilian Casualty Mitigation, which
are fundamental principles of the Nigerian military’s professional
education and training.

“With the A-29 Super Tucano purchase, the Nigerian Air Force
also has become a founding member of the U.S. Air Force’s “Combined
Light Attack Experiment,” which is developing Light Attack global
best-practice tactics and doctrine for the 21st century.”

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), had
placed an order for 12 Super Tucano fighter jets after extensive
discussions with the US government.

The Nigerian Air Force last Thursday took delivery of the first
batch of six jets from the US.