UAE-owned company Calidus is looking to sell its B-250 aircraft to the high command of the Senegalese Air Force, headed by General El Hadj Niang.
The Calidus B-250 is a light attack and trainer aircraft developed by Calidus, and there are indications that Calidus is actively pursuing a potential sale to the Senegalese Air Force, but there’s no confirmation that Senegal has placed an order yet. The B-250 is designed for roles like close air support, counter-terrorism, and intelligence gathering.
The military trainer can support counterinsurgency (COIN) attack missions, reconnaissance, and search-and-rescue (SAR) operations. It can further simulate close air support (CAS), and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) mission environments during combat training activities.
Calidus began actively marketing the aircraft to officers if Senegalese military high command, however, since then it appears that there have not been much headway in the venture.
Calidus unveiled the B-250 aircraft at the Dubai Airshow in November 2017. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Air Force is already a customer of the B-250, having ordered 24 aircraft in 2019.
However, the Senegalese Air Force has already procured at least four South Korean-made KAI KT-1 Woongbi for training and light attack purposes. Korea Aerospace Industries and Senegalese Air Force signed a contract for four KA-1S in 2016.
Last year, Senegal was reportedly moving forward with its acquisition of FA-50 Fighting Eagle light combat aircraft from South Korea. The exact number and value of the aircraft are not disclosed, but some reports suggest that Senegal may have ordered up to four FA-50s worth $147 million.
The FA-50 is a supersonic, multi-role aircraft developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in partnership with Lockheed Martin. It is based on the T-50 advanced trainer jet, which has been in service with the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) since 2013.
Senegal’s decision to acquire the FA-50 comes after its previous deal with Aero Vodochody for four L-39NG light attack aircraft failed to manifest. General Sarr Pape Souleymane, the head of the Senegalese air force, said he was looking for a new supplier for four light combat aircraft and chose the FA-50s made by KAI.
In May 2019, France donated two Socata TB-30 Epsilon trainer aircraft to the Senegalese Air Force for ab initio pilot training
Manwhile, Calidus is collaborating with Indonesia to potentially transform the B-250 into a combat drone.
Calidus is actively seeking export orders for the B-250, suggesting it is positioned as a competitive option in the light attack/trainer market.
