Niger’s military junta has signed a deal to buy five Karayel-SU attack drones from Turkey's Lentatek, as reported by Africa Intelligence.
The deal is worth around $86.3 million and is part of Niger's plan to strengthen its military due to growing security issues in the region.
Niger has previously bought other Turkish-made military equipment, including Bayraktar TB2 drones, Hürkuş light attack aircraft, and armored vehicles. In May 2022, Niger received six Bayraktar TB2 UAVs, and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) confirmed the sale of two Hürkuş aircraft.
The Karayel-SU drones are used for gathering information, surveillance, and striking ground targets. They can carry Turkish-made MAM-L and MAM-C precision bombs and come with advanced sensors for targeting.
The drone weighs 630 kg, is 6.5 meters long, and has a wingspan of 13 meters. It can carry up to 70 kg of payload under the fuselage and up to 120 kg on the wings. Powered by a 97-horsepower engine, it flies at speeds of 56-80 knots and can reach altitudes of 5,450 meters. Its maximum flight range is 200 km, and it can stay in the air for up to 20 hours, or 8 hours with a full payload.
The Karayel-SU can also be equipped with satellite communication and an automatic anti-icing system, making it even more versatile.
Niger's purchase of these drones is part of its broader efforts to boost its military in response to rising security threats.
