The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has received all four twin-engine DA 62 MPP special mission aircraft from Austria's Diamond Aircraft, Guy Martin reported in defenceWeb. The first aircraft, registered as NAF260, was delivered in late February and showcased at NAF Day celebrations in May, equipped with surveillance equipment. The remaining three aircraft, registered as NAF261, NAF262, and NAF263, arrived in Nigeria from Austria on October 6th.

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  Diamond Aircraft DA 62 special mission aircraft of the Nigerian Air Force (Picture source: via defenceWeb)

The DA 62 MPP is known for its low operating costs and low noise signature due to a specialized exhaust system. It has a ten-hour endurance thanks to its economical Austro Engine AE330 engines that run on JET A1 or diesel fuel (they each develop 180 hp). The aircraft can accommodate two pilots with Garmin G1000 NXi glass cockpits and one or two mission system operators. It is designed to carry various multi-functional aerial sensors, including cameras, radars, and communication equipment.

The DA 62 MPP's carbon fiber airframe offers extended airframe life and resistance to corrosion, even in challenging environments. It is cost-efficient for special mission operations. The platform is used for law enforcement, search and rescue, border surveillance, disaster management, and more.