Leading Turkish defence companies last week pitched their hardware to the Nigerian military leadership in a bid to make some sales.
Amongst the companies; TUSAŞ, OTOKAR, Roketsan, BMC, Tais Shipyard, Katmerciler, ASELSAN, TAI and 10 others were in Abuja to attend the 5th Turkey-Nigeria Defence Industry Consultation Meeting.
The delegation was led by Savunma Salihi Sanayii where they met with the Nigerian Minister of Defence Major General Bashir Magashi.
Discussions on “military procurements” and joint equipment manufacturing are currently ongoing says Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu earlier in December.
Nigeria hopes to acquire at least a squadron of lethal attack helicopters to assist in its counter-terrorism campaign and to complement the Russian Mil Mi24/35 Hind and Agusta A109 Powers light attack helicopters currently in service.
Plans to buy 12 American-made AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters from Israel at the cost of $875 million, has likely fallen through amidst accusations of human rights violations committed by President Muhammad Buhari administration.
Airbus, TAI, and HAL are currently competing for Nigeria’s attack helicopter contract. Recent unverified reports suggest that Nigeria intends to buy the Turkish-built T-129 ATAK helicopter, a derivative of the Italian A-129 Mangusta attack helicopter, more details will likely emerge after the summit.
Nigeria and Turkey first began talks aimed at improving their defence ties on August 31, 2021, during the visit of the Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Hidaye Bayraktar paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.