# Nigerian airspace is left unguarded

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2020/11/nigerian-airspace-left-unguarded/
- Published: 2020-11-30T01:38:13+01:00
- Author: Military Africa

With almost all of Nigeria’s frontline air defence fighter jets now in China, the
country’s airspace is now literally unguarded.

Recently, seven out of the remaining nine F-7 Chengdu AirGuard fighter jets in the
Nigerian Air Force was deployed to China for [deep maintenance ](https://www.military.africa/2020/11/nigerian-airspace-left-unguarded/military.africa/2020/11/nigeria-78-of-frontline-f-7-aircraft-fleet-in-china-for-maintenance)
says the Chief of Air staff, Sadique Abubakar.

The two remaining aircraft left in Nigeria are also undergoing extensive rehabilitation
program to extend their service life.

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Nigeria only have nine F-7 AirGuard fighter jets, though the country acquired fifteen
units in 2009.

Several of the aircraft have suffered attrition due to various factors most especially
accidents.

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With all the fleet now undergoing maintenance, Nigeria’s airspace is now protected
by a few obsolete Roland air defence missile system.

The Roland air defence missile system is thoroughly outdated and is irrelevant in
today’s modern battlefield conditions.

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Nigeria also possess some Russia-made man portable air defence missile system like
the Strela, and a handful of Air defense guns.

Nigeria’s other aircraft fleet is the Dassault Dornier Alpha jets which are not 
capable of Air defense missions as they lack even basic radar and missiles.

Thus, as the F-7s are unavailable, Nigeria will rely on the new jf-17 Thunder aircraft
soon to be delivered by Pakistan.

Although, Nigeria is not faced with any credible aerial threat at the moment, as
the neighbors don’t have the capacity to mount an aerial offensive against Nigeria.

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