Nigeria to fight Boko Haram terrorist organisation with Hungarian aircraft

MagnusAircraft has made a deal with the commander-in-chief of the Nigerian Air Force to sell propeller planes manufactured by the aircraft factory based in Pécs.

In 2020, the Nigerian Air Force purchased 23 fighter aircraft from the United States, which were already used in action against the insurgence of armed criminal groups in the state of Kaduna.

The Air Force also announced that the country plans to strengthen its relations with Hungary in the field of training pilots, maintenance, and upkeeping of aerial equipment, as well as in the setting up and configuration of exploratory and surveillance systems.

Endre Déri, an honorary consul to Nigeria, and László Boros, the general manager of MagnusAircraft, met with Sadique Abubakar, the Chief of Air Staff of the Nigerian Air Force, and together they visited the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology.

24.hu reached out to László Boros, who confirmed that the aircraft factory has indeed reached an agreement with the Air Force on the delivery of propeller aircraft used for civilian and surveillance purposes, together with the training of Nigerian pilots in Hungary. According to Boros, the number of planes delivered is between 20 and 50; negotiations are currently in process regarding the quantity.

The appearance of MagnusAircraft in Africa is not a novelty as the company has a subsidiary in Kenya.

Using propeller aircraft in combat in African countries in conflicts comes mostly from economic reasons. Operating a fighter helicopter costs 6,000 dollars an hour, while that of a propeller aircraft only costs 60.