Nigeria is planning to add 12 Turkish-made TUSAŞ Aksungur unmanned combat aerial drones to its air force, potentially expanding its capacity to monitor militant activity and conduct long-endurance operations as the country continues to battle terrorism and armed violence.
- Nigeria plans to acquire 12 Turkish-made TUSAŞ Aksungur unmanned combat drones to boost its air force capabilities.
- The acquisition, revealed via an official infographic, does not specify contract details or a delivery timeline.
- The Aksungur drones could enhance Nigeria's surveillance, intelligence gathering, and targeted strike capacity in the ongoing fight against terrorism and armed violence.
- Nigeria's air force modernization is ongoing, with recent helicopter deliveries, aircraft upgrades, and increased focus on operational safety and civilian harm mitigation.
The Nigerian Air Force disclosed the planned acquisition in an infographic published on its official X account on October 25, 2026. The graphic lists 12 Aksungur drones among its “additional expected aircraft”, alongside other platforms planned for the service.
The announcement does not specify a contract value or delivery schedule, and it does not establish whether a procurement contract has been finalised.
According to the 2026 Global Firepower Index, Nigeria ranks third in Africa for overall military strength, making it the continent’s third-strongest military by the index’s assessment, behind Egypt and Algeria. Nigeria ranks 33rd globally among 145 countries, with a PowerIndex score of 0.6097
Beyond the planned acquisition of the Aksungur combat drones, the Nigerian Air Force said its modernisation programme advanced in September 2026 with the delivery of five helicopters, while six L-39ZA aircraft underwent upgrades in Slovakia and Nigeria and a C-130 aircraft received maintenance in Portugal.
It is also strengthening operational safety, accountability and civilian harm mitigation.
How the Aksungur could support Nigeria’s fight against terrorism
Nigeria has spent more than a decade fighting Boko Haram and its Islamic State-linked splinter group, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), particularly in the northeast. In the northwest, armed bandit groups have also carried out deadly attacks on military positions and civilians, while kidnappings and other forms of insecurity continue to challenge security forces.
Nigeria has also stepped up efforts to improve military welfare and modernise its hardware as it grapples with persistent terrorism and other security threats. In August, President Bola Tinubu approved salary increases of between 30% and 80% for about 250,000 members of the armed forces, raising the annual military wage bill to ₦924 billion ($679 million).
Developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries, the Aksungur is a twin-engine, medium-altitude, long-endurance drone designed for intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance and armed missions.
According to the manufacturer, it has a wingspan of 24 metres, can carry a payload exceeding 750 kilograms and can remain airborne for up to 50 hours, depending on its configuration. It can carry electro-optical and infrared cameras, radar and precision-guided weapons.
Other countries operating the Aksungur
Turkey operates the aircraft, while Kyrgyzstan’s Border Guard Service has also displayed one. In Africa, Chad has confirmed at least one Aksungur in service, including footage of an aircraft carrying guided munitions in April 2024.
Niger also introduced the Turkish-built Aksungur drone in September, expanding its aerial capabilities for surveillance, border defense, and precision strikes
Angola signed a deal for Turkish drones in 2023, with the Aksungur included in reporting on the procurement. However, publicly available information does not conclusively establish that Angola has received and operationally deployed the type.
If Nigeria’s planned acquisition proceeds, the drones would add to a fleet that already includes Turkish Bayraktar TB2s and Chinese-made unmanned aircraft, broadening the Nigerian Air Force’s options for surveillance and aerial operations.