Wing Loong II delivered to Nigeria

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) received the first two of eight ordered Chinese Wing Loong II armed reconnaissance Unmanned Aerial Systems. On 11 November 2020, the two Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAS, serials NAF-140 and NAF-141, were added to the NAF fleet.

With the delivery, Nigeria has joined China and the United Arab Emirates as the only countries operating the AVIC's Chengdu Aircraft Design & Research Institute developed Wing Loong II.

The Wing Loong II, often compared qua looks (not qua advanced technology) with the US MQ-9 Reaper, can stay airborne for 31 hours in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance mode and 26 hours in offensive roles. The NAF will use them in a  counter-insurgency (COIN) and anti-banditry mission.

The Chinese developed UAS' have unique advantages on the international arms market, due to mature drone technologies, complete systems for setups, complete training programmes,  much lower prices and quick deliveries compared to Western products. In this way, Chinese UAS can rapidly boost combat capabilities of countries with regional conflicts. On top of that, the Chinese deliver to any country while the US and several other Western UAS manufacturing countries are careful in selling their products.

AVIC reports that they have exported over hundred Wing Loong Is, I-Ds and IIs since 2010.

Photo: NAF