ROME – Alenia Aeronautica has delivered to the Nigerian Air Force the first of two ATR 42MP maritime patrol aircraft ordered in March 2007, the firm said.

The second aircraft will be delivered in 2010, said Alenia, which is a unit of Italy’s Finmeccanica. ATR aircraft are jointly built by Alenia and EADS, although maritime patrol versions are marketed by Alenia.

The Nigerian contract covers pilot and operator training on the basic aircraft, which is being held in Toulouse, as well as training on the MP version at Alenia’s training center in Turin, Italy. Training will continue in Nigeria after delivery, Alenia said.

The green aircraft was sent from Toulouse to Alenia’s facility in Brindisi, Italy, where structural and system modifications were made. Maritime patrol sensors and systems were then added by Alenia in Turin, where flight tests were also held.

The aircraft was fitted with Selex Galileo’s Airborne Tactical Observation and Surveillance system.

Nigeria becomes the first export customer for the ATR 42MP, which is already in operational use with the Italian Coast Guard and the Italian Customs Police. The Nigerian Air Force will use the aircraft for reconnaissance, patrolling its Exclusive Economic Zone, and performing search and rescue activities.

Source: Defensenews.com