BY Femi Owolabi
The test flight operation for the Super Tucano aircraft ordered by the federal government has begun.
The government had ordered the fighter jets for the Nigerian air force to use in its fight against insurgency.
Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, who shared a video of the test flight via his Twitter handle on Tuesday, said six of the 12 aircraft will arrive in mid-June.
He added that the remaining six would arrive shortly after.
Earlier, he had said 14 Nigerian pilots are currently training in Georgia ahead of the delivery.
The jets are being produced by Embraer Defense & Security and Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC).
“The aircraft met or exceeded all the requirements and we are very pleased with the successful flight,” Ed Topps, vice-president of tactical aircraft systems and programmes for SNC, had earlier said.
He added that “SNC and our partner, Embraer, are certain the Nigerian Air Force will be pleased with these aircraft.”
According to the manufacturers, the aircraft is the most reliable and cost-effective solution for basic and advanced flight and combat training, close air support operations, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), armed over-watch, counter-insurgency and irregular warfare scenarios.
Below is the video of the test flight.
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