Niger Set to Boost Military Power with Acquisition of Advanced Turkish Aksungur Drone
In a significant leap forward in its military modernization efforts, Niger is poised to receive the Aksungur, one of Turkey’s most sophisticated combat drones.
Developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ), the Aksungur represents a new tier of aerial capability, promising to transform Niger’s defense posture amid rising regional security threats.
With a wingspan of nearly 25 meters and a takeoff weight exceeding three tons, the Aksungur is a formidable entry in the MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) drone category.
It boasts a flight endurance of up to 40 hours and a range of 6,500 kilometers—placing it among the most capable drones globally.
Equipped with six hardpoints, it can carry a payload of up to 750 kilograms, integrating a wide variety of munitions and surveillance equipment.
By comparison, it outclasses the widely used Bayraktar TB2 in both range and payload, and rivals the capabilities of the Turkish Akinci drone.
For Niger’s Armed Forces (FAN), grappling with insurgent activity and instability across vast and often inaccessible territories, the Aksungur offers a strategic game-changer.
The drone’s ability to remain airborne for nearly two days enables sustained surveillance and rapid precision strikes, particularly in remote border zones where ground operations are constrained by logistical challenges.
Twelve Nigerien military personnel have already undergone intensive training in Turkey, where they were schooled in drone operation, mission planning, and weapons systems under the supervision of Turkish experts.
This knowledge transfer ensures that Niger will be able to effectively deploy the Aksungur shortly after its arrival, maximizing its tactical impact.
This development also reflects a broader trend within the Sahel Alliance—comprising Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso—of pivoting toward non-Western military partnerships.
All three nations have deepened defense ties with Ankara, favoring Turkish drones like the Bayraktar TB2 for their affordability, reliability, and rapid deployment potential.
The Aksungur’s estimated cost of €15 to €20 million per unit is a significant investment for Niger, but one that signals a decisive step toward military self-reliance.
By integrating such advanced systems, Niger aims not only to bolster its internal security apparatus but also to play a more assertive role in regional counterterrorism operations.
As geopolitical dynamics in the Sahel shift, Niger’s acquisition of the Aksungur marks both a technological and strategic milestone—redefining its aerial capabilities and underlining a broader regional move toward diversified and autonomous defense strategies.
