L39ZA Albatros light attack jets of the Nigerian Air Force
PHOTO CREDIT: WIKIMEDIA/Ken Iwelumo
NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
December 18, 2013
The Supervising Minister of Defence, Mr Labaran Maku, on Tuesday in Kaduna said that the country has the capacity and resources to develop its armed forces.
Maku made the remark at the “Award
Night 2013’’ for the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh. “I believe that the country has the resources to support development and research in the armed forces, so that between now and the next 15 years, we can depend more on our local ingenuity
and creativity than our foreign supplies.
“No nation can sustain its security system by depending on other countries; you need your own ingenuity and creativity to run the system,’’ he said.
Maku said from what he had seen in the armed forces in the area of research and development, it had shown that the services had the capability, saying all they needed was adequate funding. “As supervising minister of defence, what I have seen today will inspire me to work together with the service chiefs to
ensure better funding for research and development of the armed forces,’’ he said.
Maku said President Goodluck Jonathan was determined and committed to support the military to be the best not only in the country but in Africa.
The minister commended the Chief of Air staff for the innovation he had brought to the Nigerian Air Force. He urged officers and men of the armed
forces to remain committed to defend
democracy in the country.
Earlier, Badeh said that the Air Force was blessed with personnel who were
determined to lift the NAF to unprecedented heights, adding that such officers deserved to be honoured.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
reports that some officers and men, who excelled in their careers, were given awards at the occasion. The occasion also witnessed the winging
of some pilots and presentation of
certificates.
Beegeagle's Blog 
The best way to honour and reward the officers Mr Maku is to provide the fighter/COIN/transport and helo aircrafts they deserve and this is what you should be striving towards.
While it is commendable what has been achieved so far and the long term plans, it is vital the necessary assets are acquired pronto.
Enough said.
Heart of the matter !!
We also need to put money where it matters. Full civilian complement staffing of AFIT, USD200mn budget at least to start. Propulsion, aerodynamics, avionics, systems integration and IT departments running full blast. The whole nine yards…..
http://defense-update.com/20131219_brazil_gripen.html
After a few months off port-harcourt skies, the MIL’s are back. I spotted two MI-35p helicopters patrolling the skies this afternoon, and a couple of minutes later one MI-35.
Could this mean that the start-up assets loaned to 79 Composite Group for COIN operations have been returned to the 97 Special Operations Group? I ask because the “War on Terror” in the Northeast continues apace. So if the NAF can afford to return as many as three Hind attack helicopters to PHC, and given the fact that the CAS suggested that the helicopters damaged/destroyed have been replaced, could it be that the NAF have done the expedient and quietly ramped up holdings of Hind attack helicopters?
For emphasis, and in the light of Oga Henry’s narrative, the 23mm cannon-armed Mi-24V Hind E isinterchangeably described as “Mi-35” without any alphabet surfixed. This should not be confused with the 30mm cannon-armed Mi-35P Hind F
I think 2 helicopters in all, not 3.
I saw the 35s in PH last month
FG PLEDGE TO INVEST MORE RESOURCES TO STIMULATE INNOVATION
THE GUARDIAN
19 December, 2013
PLEASED with the recent developments
in science and technology in Nigerian
Armed Forces and the attending results
from research, the Federal Government
has pledged to invest more resources to
stimulate innovations and the overall advancement of ideas that would foster
the desired national development.
Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, disclosed this on Tuesday in Kaduna at
the Chief of Air Staff Award Night 2013,with the justification that the developed countries of the world do not depend on the nations but are self- reliant because “you need your own ingenuity and creativity to run the system.”
Maku, who is also the Supervising Minister of Defence, said Nigeria as a country, has the capacity and resources
to develop its Armed Forces without
necessarily seeking assistance from other nations. “I believe that the country has the resources to support development and research in the Armed Forces,so that between now and the next 15 years, we can depend more on our local ingenuity and creativity than our foreign supplies.
“As Supervising Minister of Defence,what I have seen today will inspire me with the Chief of Defence Staff and service chiefs to ensure that we have better funding for research and development of the Armed Forces”, he said.
While commending the leadership of Air Marshal Alex Badeh as the Chief of Air Staff, Maku said the nation was blessed with skilled men and women in the Nigerian Air Force who are
committed and determined to contribute their knowledge and skills to the development of the country.
He also challenged the officers who were given awards to remain committed to their fatherland and
rededicate their energies towards
attaining greater heights for themselves and country, and towards the reservation of democracy and the
constitution.
Earlier in his welcome remark, Badeh said the honoured officers were well deserving of the credit being accorded
them. They include the Director of Policy at the NAF Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Iya Abdullahi, who has over 2,500 flying hours and combat experience in the 31 years of his career; AVM Olutayo Oguntoyinbo; the Chief of Standards and Evaluation, AVM Sadique Abubakar; the Chief Research Officer of the NAF, Wing Commander Osichinaka
Ubadike (PhD) and Master Warrant Officer, Mwo Ide, an airman with exceptional conduct and high level of knowledge in aircraft maintenance.
“I recognise that people should not be
judged by their peak of excellence, but by the distance they have travelled from the point where they started. For instance, some of the more senior NAF officers would be awarded with the Distinguished Flying Medals following decades of meritorious service and thousands of hours of flying in the sky or manning critical posts in defense of
their fatherland.
“During each of the several million seconds these men spent on their jobs, they did seemingly ordinary things extraordinarily well so much that today,we can celebrate them. I, therefore,
charge you all to re-dedicate yourselves to duty, discipline,honour, patriotism and above all, excellence,” Badeh said.
The occasion also witnessed the winging of some of the young pilots who just excelled in their course by the minister.
award nights ke. have they conducted a thorough investigation of the terrorist attack on NAF base? awards, no matter how important, are just a little bit insensitive presently, giving the casualties and humiliation of that attack.
na wah for this country
Award nights are what we do best. A+ for wining, dining & speeches.
The lack of FOCUS of the NAF continues to show itself yes even if this was planned months ago, however with the attack and loss of life it shows that of all the ARMED FORCES the NAF is not headed in the right direction. This event should of been scaled back and there should not of been this FEEL- GOOD- PAT- ME- ON- THE- BACK.
I am hoping in the new year to come there will be a change in thinking, orientation and leadership and most importantly Senior officers who allowed this debacle to happen would be held accountable- because failure to do so would simply have history repeat itself.
I want to believe that he awardees themselves would have preffered a squadron of Su 30MK to the medals pinned to heir chests.
We appreciate your comments about the potentials of the Local defense Industry. Now, let the money go where the mouth is. You can influence it sir.
Guys,
Even though it costs $60M a piece what do you guys think of the GRIPEN NG? Brazil just selected it over Boeing’s F/A 18.
Saab wins Brazil’s F-X2 fighter contest with Gripen NG
Brazil has selected the Saab Gripen E/F for the 36 aircraft F-X2 requirement to replace its air force’s older combat types.
With an acquisition cost in the region of $4.5 billion, the Gripens will replace the Dassault Mirage 2000C fighters operated by the 1st Air Defence Group and a number of the modernised Northrop F-5EMs in four other Air Force squadrons.
The long-awaited announcement was made on 18 December by Brazilian defence minister Celso Amorim and Brazilian air force Chief Gen Juniti Saito.
The decision was driven by aircraft performance, transfer of technology and low through-life costs, according to the officials.
Contract negotiation is expected to last between 10 and 12 months.
Saab has guaranteed the total transfer of technology of “all systems” including the weapons command software, which will allow future integration of Brazilian-developed missiles and weapons
Deliveries are expected to start 48 months from contract signing and will eventually reach the rate of 12 aircraft per year.
Existing Gripen C/Ds operated by the Royal Swedish Air Force can also be supplied to Brazil in order to replace recently-retired Mirage 2000C/Ds.
The older Swedish aircraft will be eventually replaced by the new Gripen E/F models.
Amorim says “besides this contract we are also currently open to setting up other partnerships, especially regarding fifth-generation fighters”.
Amorim adds Brazil has a strong relationship with the US and is not concerned about limitations to US-sourced components.
Commenting about the Gripen NG, general Saito says “the intellectual property of this new fighter will be ours”.
Saab had earlier promised to develop a $150 million aerostructures assembly plant in the city of São Bernardo do Campo in the State of São Paulo.
For four years since publication of a short-list, the F-X2 fighter replacement program has pitted Gripen against Dassault’s Rafale and the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
See video of the GRIPEN NG below
With an American engine forget it,we are going for the jf-17.
Really!
What engines does the NNS Thunder have installed?
Oga mnl01, i saw this report and even posted it on one of the threads, on further research it was discovered that the actual reason why the Grippen Won the bid was because of the US spy scandal as it was alleged that the US spied on the Brazilian President, hence Mistrust, remember that Boeing (US) was also a contender, and Comparing a Grippen to a Rafale… we know the obvious.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/18/brazil-jets-idUSL2N0JX17W20131218
Exactly.
It’s an american donated ship. Look at our JAG’s, all 24 barely flown, grounded and in storage because of sanctions. What happens if “uncle sam” decides to whirled the big stick again?
I agree with number one, we should go for the JF-17 block II. It stands at par with the gripen jet and comes without the threat of sanctions. Besides the Gripen jet (a light jet) at 60 million dollars a piece is considerably over-priced.
@ Oga Henry
I beg to differ that the Gripen is a light jet. It is being compared to the Su-35.
You didnt answer the question about the NNS Thunder. Its engines are of what make? So by your possition you mean if sanctions take place then we cant use the NNS Thunder?
@mnl01, it just means that with NNS Thunder, you can get away with locally fabricated parts, but not with an aircraft engine when sanctions take hold.
It isn’t easy to get a replacement engine for an aircraft, which would require years of testing and evaluation.
Oga mnlo1, I wonder if you were aware of the state of the Nigerian military during the IBB and Abacha days, if you were i am sure you wont ask this question, it is VERY WISE to to keep as far off from western equipments as possible, NNS Thunder is a gift, yes, if a political squabble arises, then You’ll see the true colours of Uncle Sam, I hope you are aware that the British govt not too long a ago threatened African Nations with Withdrawal of Aid over the Same sex issue. These are things that have been stated on this blog, the Russians and Chinese will not do that, So Oga Henry is right, you need to research the history of the JAGS we purchased from the UK to further understand what is said. As for the SU 35 and the Gripen, drop your idea, you need to know how the Gripen itself came into existence, There is ABSOLUTELY NO way that the Gripen can compare with a Sukhoi, NEVER, some people have boldly called the Gripen the Sukhoi hunter, but in reality, its at the Mercy of the SU35, pls research the internet on the 2 planes and then Judge for yourself.
@ Henry this where the SU35 comes in,its roughly in the range of $60 mil and the rest we all know
It is wildly over-priced. Even a Su-30 which will blow away two Gripens in one loop is not that pricey.
We do not need the Gripen. Sweden is another activists’ enclave and I do not feel comfy about any Western-made jets, not least because of their trend of blackmailing and arm-twisting customers.
Nigeria should grab eight Su-30s for strategic strikes and air superiority plus eighteen JF-17 Blk IIs for multirole tactical operations.
Let our jets be our jets. The fact that we have grounded Jags which have flown for only 100 hours should alarm any patriot.
Let us stop glorifying Giffen goods.
Su-30MKN Just saying that makes me smile 🙂
The SAAB Gripen compared with the SU-35???? Oga mnl01, I respectfully disagree. I still maintain it is a light weight jet.
The saab gripen, pakistani JF-17, indian HAL tejas and taiwanese light jet are all in the same class. In my opinion, Taking into account capabilities, cost and bureaucracy, the pakistani JF-17 is the best of the lot. Come on man, the gripen is over-priced.
As for the NNS thunder, the engines are american. In my opinion, If sanctions were to take place, at the same time the ship requires a complete over-haul, we might as well turn the boat into a shooting target. if the imagined problems cannot be fixed by nigerian or friendly engineers, then the ship would be useless.
Like our jaguar jets, it is important we look before we leap. By that account and lessons learned, an over-priced gripen would be a wrong plane for our airforce, when there are suitable alternatives in the market.
Bros we still dey talk Gripen, SU 30/ SU 27> First what is our air threat/ air power requirements?
Is it deep strike? air superiority, Close support or what. which is most important and what can we afford?
What ois out threat? Are we ever going to take on a first world power? No. If a first world power comes to contest our airspace my preferred strategy would be to hide our expensive air frames in hidden hardened bukers until the crisis is over. S who will we be contesting air space with? regionally? No one. Continentally, SA, Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Ethiopia, Sudan.
however unless we go find their trouble or are clashing over some territory we are unlikely to meet.
So we need to defend our airspace according to our pocket
Our Air power priorities in my opinion
Close Air Support (fixed and rotary wing)
Transport (fixed and rotary wing)
Maritime patrol
Border patrol/ surveillance
Air superiority
Strike
Air defence
So where should our defence priorities be?
Which parts of Nigeria need defending from air attack because we will not defend every square inch at once. Thus priorities (with as little emotion as possible), need to be Abuja, Lagos, the Delta from Delta to Cross River. Then key military bases.
So to save money we need a fighter bomber, an aircraft than can defend the skies and attack ground targets.
Followed. So we are looking at versatility, range and payload.
So in essence in a way we don enter one chance with the NNS Thunder?
That SU-27, would kick the gripen’s Ass…….unless it is a sub.standard version, with lousy pilots.
LMAO!!!!!! I mean the Gripen cost as much as the russian SU-35 ( a competitor to the american F-22 ), yet the brazilians went for the JAS39 Gripen. The brazilian minister of defence and air force chief deserve to be flogged in public.
I think their decision has many undertones especially political.
The snowden file issues may not have helped too
The JF-17 is rightly the one to go for, but the Gripen NG (E) is a capable, but lightweight fighter and can’t be compared to the SU-35, which is a beast of an aircraft.
The Indian Tejas is a very lightweight fighter that is below the Gripen’s capabilities. I would actually have chosen the F-18 Super Hornet over the Gripen if we were in the hunt for a western fighter, which we are not.
They ought to have showed GRIPEN NG thrashing F-7 airguard, that’s more realistic.
lol
Great patroits,I salute you all,it was surprising to hear the CAS saying we as a Nation can not depend on the developed nations again because the NAF has built an unmanned air vehicle(UAV),or drone or RPA(Remotely- Piloted- Aircraft) as the United States FAA now insist to call this platform,which had not been tested operationally in the battlefield! Are we as a Nation day dreaming? Haba!
The French military is about to deploy combat RPAs in West Africa to fight Al Queada,recall that the US military had deployed RPAs already in Niger at the peak of the Malian crisis.We have the money to buy similar advanced surveillance and combat RPAs from Isreal or Turkey.
Oga Gbash10,
If we buy all these UAV’s ready made from Israel/France, are we also going to hire Isreali or French folks to pilot them for us? Will they sell UAV’s with missile payload systems?How do we master the technology and be (somewhat) independent if we never try?
I, for one believe the NAF is taking the right, consistent small steps, and i pray they keep it up. We should be asking what’s their next step. More prototyping, or full production?
Bear in mind the UAV prototypes we’ve seen so far are more or less survellience types; they have no sort of missile payloads. Thats ok, like i said, baby steps first…
no one is saying NAF UAV program is bad, on the contrary, we are all happy with the innovation and creativity. however, the fact that they re designing and building RPVs does not in any way stop them from buying more capable platforms. the new GULMA is a MALE, but this does not stop NAF from acquiring a HALE UAV if they can.
we need more game changing weapons in the north east; helicopters, RPVs, light aircraft, frequency jammers, listening and intercepting devices, reconnaissance on ground (be it snipers or SF teams), NVGs, MRAP, ground attack aircraft (heavily armoured), and of course, the most useful game changer: WILLPOWER. the terrs and the security forces cannot be squiring off on equal footing in terms of equipment. this is the number one reason for avoidable casualties on the part of the security forces. the warfare doctrine on ground is too basic. this was the same problem in the 90s era peace keeping/ enforcement; too low tech.
u cant just depend on simple courage and skills, without superior hardware and will power, even those assets such as skills and courage will be immediately eroded.
NAF was supposed to have acquired UAVs from Israel a while back. why are we not seeing more of these platforms in significant quantity deployed up north?
this current attitude of reaction and poor PR will not do the military any good.
well, maybe the rumour of impeding implosion come 2015 is making the govt stingy, don’t want these weapons on the wrong side of the divide. thoughts.
Quote
“(…)the most useful game changer: WILLPOWER. the terrs and the security forces cannot be squaring off on equal footing in terms of equipment. This is the number one reason for avoidable casualties on the part of the security forces. the warfare doctrine on ground is too basic. This was the same problem in the 90s era peace keeping/ enforcement; too low tech.
U cant just depend on simple courage and skills, without superior hardware and will power, even those assets such as skills and courage will be immediately eroded”
End of Quote
GOSPEL TRUTH
@mnl01,no offence but you made me laugh when you asked the question about NNS THUNDER’s powerplant!It has an American engine,that said,should Uncle Sam invoke arms embargo on Nigeria,it would be a very good ship for target practice.
@CHYDE, you pull the word out of my mouth,the Gripen can not be compare to any Flanker,talkless of the SU-35 which is a real beast,please oga mnl01,check the performance of the SU-35 on YOUTUBE and read more about its specs.The SU-35BM Flanker E+ is a high-performance,heavy-class,and long-range multirole fighter jet that outclass all the US teen fighters (F-15,F-16,and F/A-18) and all the Euro-carnard fighter. (Typhoon,Rafale and the Gripen), the only exception now is the US F-22A Raptor Stealth fighter. The Gripen is a light-weight fighter jet.
Oga Peccavi,what threats are the Brazilians facing now that the government is removing us$4.5 billion to acqure just 36 units of inferior Gripen fighter jets at the expense of other competing economic demands?
The truth is that,their political and military leaders have foresight,hence,they have National Security Interest at heart,simple!
The Brazilian Air Force is to replace her aging fleet of Mirage2000 and F-5 fighter jets,it has to protect its vast airspace,gas reserve,sovereignty as well as patrolling its borders.
So, from the air combat perspective,with reference to what oga Peccavi had said,the multirole fighter jet the FG should buy for the NAF should be the last variant of the Sukhoi SU-35 Flanker E++.
Oga, Brazil and Naija no dey on the same level, they have a space programme, a manufacturing base. their rgional competitors are Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Colombia etc(combined) but they are looking at continental and global power projection, competing with India, etc.
So our operational requirements are not the same, my point is clear identify our needs first before looking at different aircraft.
What is the point of all these fancy, super aircraft, that cost $5,000 an hour to fly and require S20,000 to change a tyre.
Be realistic they will fly once and thats it. So we need to identify our needs but more importantly our abilities. Mirages, Sus whatever but jumping ahead to compete with India or Brazil in their purchases misses the point
If you take away the Stealth from the F-22,the Su-35 would kill it.If it is true that the unit cost of the Gripen JAS-39 is us$60 million,then it too expensive.
In our case,should the FG acquires JF-17 Thunder fighter jet for the NAF,which is very likely,this jet would only serve as a stop-gap for the high-performance,heavy-class,long-range and high payload – multirole fighter jet that Nigeria needs.
Why is it that, we on this blog, seem to know that we need these platforms,than our political and military leaders(especially the NAF)?No wonder,I read a wikileak report by a US ambassador to Nigeria cable report to the State Department about the Nigeria military(the NAF in particular),it says the NAF generals do not even know the air combat capability requirements for Nigeria!
Walai no be me talk am, na wikileak ooo!
haha oga gbash10, abeg o leave our red necks alone o. dem generals for air force even plenty pass aircraft for air force inventory lol
of course our generals do not know the air combat requirements for NAF. we can all recall the former CAS, air marshal Umar, who was describing glowingly nigerian air superiority fighter, the F7NI, with global experts on air warfare gathered! it says much about our doctrines and ORBAT
there has been no news update regarding the hot pursuit and retreat of BH after the attack on MDRG NAF base.
i guess these same attackers will also retreat orderly from Bama and its environs into the forest and cameroun.
simple tasks becomes complex nightmare for our security forces. how can hundreds of fighters assemble, and attack a military installation without intel picking a whiff and their trail scent. these same terrs are able to disperse after attacks. why is it so hard to cut off the escaping terrs. this is pure mediocrity on the part of mission planners.
NAF has an organic quick reaction force. if the army cant mush up an air assault team, NAF should be able to use their standby ready units to wipe out these terrs with the aid of helos and other light aircraft.
the proper lack of follow up action is timidity at its worst. i would not find it shocking if there are no pre-registered ranging for artillery and mortars in these installations.
Oga, I observed something that might be termed elementary but shockingly missing with our military on my recent visit home. I had the need to visit a border area between Lagos and Ogun State, and was surprised to find an Army Dog Formation in the area; the soldiers at the main gate were not armed (no GPMG nest either); they were seriously animated by whatever subject they were discussing and seemed quite too relaxed. At the other stretch of the fence was an observation sentry tower, it was not manned. Four times I passed by, on different days, these were the readiness state; given the frontline role Army K9 outfit is playing in the effort to overcome terrorism at the moment the arrangement should be different. On my way to the MMA I travelled through the road that passed by the local airport; again I noticed the NAF NCOs on guard at the gate to the NAF wing of the airport were thoroughly distracted and consumed by the gist they were having; the one that stood up with his gun loosely hung on his right shoulder had his back to the road and gesturing away to his mates. Lagos is far away from the North East, nonetheless, there must be a certain alert/readiness disposition. A switched-on guard on a sentry tower with an Enfield Mark4 would prove himself creditably before he is overwhlemed. I suspect I maybe over simplifying things here; however, I am attempting to force the point that we need to begin by doing little things right first.
Oga Akin I’ve raised this issue severally, i leave in kaduna, its supposed to be a very alert state but the level of unseriousness u described in Lagos is seen in Kaduna, Abuja and also Niger state even the people of 14 brigade at Ohafia had dat look of unseriousness. the last time i passed through the M.O.D HQ. the sentry post was also unmanned, the estate i live in is an army estate; the soldiers on guard are a joke, no disrespect intended. I believe when a security operative is on duty, he should the at the highest level of alertness, not time for mobile fones.
While we deserve and can afford a 4+ or 5th generation fighter aircraft (by virtue of our role and economic power in Africa)at the end of the day our needs and abilities (in terms of maintenance) will determine what we will get.
Honestly, I wouldn’t mind the NAF flying top notch fighter jets that money can buy, but let’s be realistic – this is highly unlikely.
If the JF-17 block 2 is the best our budget and strategic interest dictates then so be it. If our PAK/SINO friends will throw in a technology transfer package in the deal, and access to all the armaments and elint/sigint pods with no strings attached attached then the deal has my vote…provided the FG acquires them in sufficient numbers.
Another lead that will dictate the type of aircraft the NAF will field in its orbat in the nearest future is the tight fisted fiscal policy those in power have towards the armed forces. Generals, you will literally weep if you listen to the opinion of these individuals (especially our lawmakers) on defense related matters. Unfortunately, the current insurgency facing the nation has more ominous and dire consequences than the Biafran civil war.
The general impression created by this scenario is lack of will power to end the crisis and even manipulating the by effects of the conflict for selfish political gain. Uncommon sense dictates that the federal government do the needful and provide the requisite platforms in sufficient numbers to help our boys in uniform contain the insurgency…unfortunately, the opposite is the reality.
Let us leave those in the corridors of power for now and turn our search light on our current and former chief of air staff in this “democratic” dispensation. In my humble opinion, they have not done enough. His naval counterpart signs off almost every interview with media houses with some thing like “however, the navy is LACKING NECESSARY OCEAN GOING PLATFORMS TO ENABLE IT FULFILL ITS constitutional role”. Mean while, the NAF does an in house DIY on its TRAINER turned ground attack aircraft (in this case the recent PDM on the A Jets) and claims with fan fare to have “gotten its wings back”! Generals, please tell me, can the NAF really fulfill its constitutional responsibilities and serve our strategic interests with a hand full of trainer air crafts and modified MIG 21 jets? Should the NAF not focus on retiring these trainers and our current front line fighter jets in view of the technological advances in military aviation and keeping up with the times? Are they waiting for Ghana or Liberia to start buying F16 multirole fighter jets from excess US defense stocks in the near future? Why is our attitude to things always reactionary and not pre-emptive? Why do we like celebrating mediocrity? Every now and then we hear of “refurbishment” being done to aircrafts in our orbat, and that’s it! Please note that this is not an upgrade. Then when an actual upgrade is done, it is “classified”! Don’t you think that every law abiding citizen of Nigeria deserves to know how his tax is being spent in basic detail?
The countries we always strive in our own imperfect way to emulate make this a SOP…ironically it’s the opposite over here.
While the little feat we have achieved so far is commendable, the pace by which we are going leaves alot to be desired. As for the JF 17 who knows, the deal might have been signed and sealed already. A word of caution Generals, don’t get your hopes too high for 2014!
PS: Here’s what the block 2 of the JF17 is shaping up to be like:
http://cdn.marketplacecontent.windowsphone.com/public/33a456bc-3408-4186-8a15-f4039bd3c51a?downloadname=sky-cups.xap
Dear oga beeg,what is this ‘wind tunnel’ being mentioned about? I’d like to know sir
Permit me to help and while Beegeagle adds his own thoughts.You need a wind tunnel to refine the aerodynamic shape of an aircraft while you are designing it.How the aircraft will perform in the air will show during wind tunnel testing.It is a standard item of equipment for a company involved in the design and manufacture of aircraft. So why did nigeria by one many years ago when we did not have an aerospace programme?. Maybe for instructional purposes, maybe for the Air Beatle trainer project and maybe it was just a nice to have.
Normally, I would have sat on the sidelines and just read your comments, but naturally this is a subject dear to my heart.
The Gripen is a very competent fighter, and while not on par with the Su-35 or even the Su-30, it can hold its own for very specific missions. There are a couple of points that need to be made to understand the logic behind the Brazilians going with the Gripen
First, there is a technology transfer component, a vast majority of the Brazilian Gripens will be built in Brazil
Two, the Gripen is a single engine jet, and the least expensive fighter jet per hour to fly in the world
Three, at various times the Rafale and F-18 were selected, but both are two engine jets meaning greater maintenance cost. Personally, I would go with the Rafale over the FA-18 without thinking twice, because it is a much more capable aircraft
Four, while the Su-35/Su-30 are phenomenal aircraft aerodynamically, range, payload etc; their uptime is very low due to engine issues. A hidden story that no one seems to realize is that most of the countries with Su-27/30s have a maintenance nightmares, because the mean average maintenance time for most Russian engines is really really low compared to Western engines Therefore, the planes get grounded for extensive period of times.
Five, the Gripens are the easiest planes to service point blank. The Brazilians have the Mirage 2000s and were less than impressed with its service record.
I don’t think the Gripens are over priced! I think a lot of you are not aware of the prices some of these jets have been going for recently. Plus you have to understand that most of the prices include training, maintenance, supplies, and various other terms besides just the aircraft. For example, Uganda purchased 6 Su-30s for $740 million usd, and expected to be somewhere in the range of $1.2 billion after maintenance, training, weapons are included. Even if we go with the 740 million number, that equals $123 million per jet. Or India going with 126 Rafale jets for 20 billion USD. That is a fly away cost of over $158 million for jet!!!!Plus with the Indians buying a 126, you would think there were deep discounts offered. So, the real fly away costs of the jets are definitely in the range of $200 million a piece or higher.
It would be nice for NAF to own a few Su-30s, because it shows everyone that we have arrived, but our mugu politicians don’t really care. While, I think Peccavi’s assertion about us assessing our aircraft needs is spot on, there is a fear factor that every potential adversary has to contend with once the Su-30 arrive on the scene. So, I guess we have to settle for the Jf-17 block 2 aircraft for now. I never really felt the J-7s and not very keen on anything Chinese, but on paper the JF-17s look ok.besides, we don’t have a lot of other choices.