Turkey to support Nigeria with drones, helicopters, Turkish envoy says

Turkish-made drones and helicopters will soon arrive in Nigeria, Hidayet Bayraktar, Turkey’s envoy to the Western African country said.

“I am proud to announce that two of our flagship defence industry platforms, Bayraktar (TB-2) drones and (T-149) ATAK helicopters are set to arrive in Nigeria,” Bayraktar said during a ceremony held in capital Abuja, Nigeria-based Vanguard newspaper reported on Sunday.

“Turkey was set to extend all kinds of support to Nigeria in its efforts to counter its security threats by sharing its experience, technological expertise and technology,” Bayraktar said.

Turkey and Nigeria have signed seven bilateral cooperation agreements in October last year, extending from defense to energy, during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Nigeria.

"We are strengthening our cooperation in military defense and security issues with Nigeria, which is fighting terrorist organizations, armed gangs, and piracy," Erdogan said in a joint press conference with his Nigerian counterpart Muhammadu Buhari. 

Bayraktar said Turkey is “confident that new Turkish defense products will support the efforts of the Nigeria government and contribute immensely to the peace, prosperity and security of fellow Nigerians.” 

Turkey’s TB2s, designed by Turkish defense company Baykar Makina which is owned by Erdogan’s in-laws, are famed by proving effectiveness in a series of conflicts in the recent years, including Ukraine, Libya, Syria and Nagorno-Karabakh.