Nigeria, a nation grappling with severe security issues, is actively exploring a novel avenue to fortify its defense capabilities. Recent developments have seen Nigeria engaging in discussions with India’s prestigious aerospace manufacturer, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, to import advanced Tejas fighter jets.
This prospective deal has the potential to reshape Nigeria’s defense strategy and equip it to combat an array of security threats.
Other nations currently in the mix
Chairman of Hindustan Aeronautics, C. B. Ananthakrishnan, has confirmed these negotiations, shedding light on Nigeria’s quest to acquire cutting-edge fighter jets from India.
However, Nigeria is not the only country in the mix, as discussions also encompass other nations, including Argentina, Egypt, and the Philippines. These developments underscore India’s growing influence in the global defense market.
Hindustan Aeronautics is actively expanding its international footprint, with a focus on establishing a more prominent presence in global markets. This includes collaborating with the Nigerian Army Aviation and the Argentine Air Force, offering vital training to officers, and supplying critical spare parts to support their exports.
Nigeria has been on the lookout for weaponry
Nigeria has historically sourced its military hardware from a variety of countries, including the United States, Russia, Brazil, Pakistan, and China. In 2021, then-President Buhari revealed that Nigeria had expended approximately $1 billion on weaponry to counter the Boko Haram terrorist group and address ongoing security challenges.
As part of this effort, Nigeria acquired 12 Super Tucanos fighter jets from the United States, a significant investment of nearly $500 million. These aircraft played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s battle against Boko Haram, which has afflicted the northeastern region since 2009.
India sets its exports to over $5 billion in revenue
While exports currently account for just 1% of Hindustan Aeronautics’ revenues, the Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is unwavering in its determination to alter this trajectory. Prime Minister Modi has set an audacious goal of achieving $5 billion in annual exports by the end of the financial year in March 2025, with the export of Tejas fighter jets poised to play a pivotal role in attaining this objective.
What to note about Nigeria’s security challenges
Recent years have seen Nigeria grappling with additional security challenges, including banditry and kidnapping in the North-west and North-central regions. States like Kaduna, Niger, Katsina, and Zamfara have been at the epicenter of this violence.
Since 2017, separatist movements in the southeast have taken a violent turn, further straining Nigeria’s already overburdened military forces.
In a recent development, the Nigerian Air Force unveiled an agreement with an Italian defense company for the procurement of 24 M-346 Master aircraft. Valued at approximately €1.2 billion, these aircraft are slated for delivery to the Nigerian Air Force in 2024, marking a significant leap forward in Nigeria’s aerial capabilities and defense strategies.
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