Gunmen kill 12 Niger gendarmes in attack near Mali border

Gunmen mounted on pick-up trucks and motorcycles killed 12 gendarmes and wounded several in an attack on their base in western Niger, near the Mali border, on Saturday, two security sources said.

The village is a few dozen kilometres from where militants killed four U.S. soldiers in an ambush on October 4 that has thrown a spotlight on the U.S. counter-terrorism mission in Niger, which straddles a large expanse of the Sahara.

The gunmen crossed over the border from Mali and drove up to the village of Ayorou, about 40 km inside, before springing their attack, the security sources said.

“They were heavily armed. They had rocket launchers and machine guns. They came in four vehicles each with about seven fighters,” said a security source on the scene.

One of the attackers was killed in an exchange of fire, he added. A spokesman for Niger’s military said he could not confirm any details of the attack.

Several Islamist militant groups and well-armed ethnic militia are known to operate in the area near the border with Mali, and there have been at least 46 attacks recorded there since early least year.

However, security officials suspect a relatively new militant group called Islamic State in the Greater Sahara to have been behind many of them, including the ambush on the joint U.S.-Niger patrol. link https://africa.cgtn.com/2017/10/21/gunmen-kill-12-niger-gendarmes-in-attack-near-mali-border/

May 18, 2014: The U.S. (directly) and Israel (indirectly) are using at least one electronic surveillance aircraft (an MC-12) to search for 223 female high school students kidnapped in April by Islamic terrorist group Boko Haram. The girls are believed to be held in some hilly forests in northeast Nigeria. The MC-12 may prove decisive in finding the girls. 

The MC-12 exists largely because American and Israeli armed forces have been sharing data and ideas for decades about how to create and use an aircraft like the MC-12. This led to the use of Beechcraft King Air twin engine commercial aircraft for electronic warfare and reconnaissance against irregular forces. That includes Taliban and Palestinian terrorists as well as Boko Haram and al Shabaab in Africa.

The MC-12 is a commercial Beechcraft King Air which can perform like a heavy (Predator or Reaper) UAV equipped for electronic warfare and crammed with vidcams, electronic sensors, jammers, and radios. This MC-12 aircraft was called Ceasar (Communications Electronic Attack with Surveillance And Reconnaissance) and could spend hours circling an area, keeping troops on the ground aware of enemy walkie-talkie and cell phone use, including location of these devices and translations of what is being discussed. The enemy is often vaguely aware of what the MC-12 can do but have no better way to communicate. Thus the few Ceasar equipped aircraft sent to Afghanistan have proved very useful for the American and British troops that used them.

Military use of the King Air arose in the United States (where Beechcraft is located) began in the early 1970s when the U.S. Army adopted the King Air as the RC-12 and then used it for a wide variety of intelligence missions ever since. Israel was made aware of this technology and developed its own versions (the Tzufit). But the Israelis had different needs and eventually developed a King Air equipped to deal with Palestinian terrorists who declared war on Israel in 2000. In the last decade Israel developed an intelligence collection version of the King Air that the U.S. began building in 2008 as the MC-12 Ceasar. This MC-12 versionincorporated vidcams, as well all the electronic monitoring gear.

In 2010 the U.S. Air Force sent its first MC-12 "manned UAV replacement" to Afghanistan and it proved successful. This despite the fact that it could only stay in action for seven hours (plus one to get to the target area) per sortie, which was half as long as a UAVs. But more UAV capabilities (vidcams overhead for hours at a time) were needed in Afghanistan, and it didn't matter if the pilots are in the air or on the ground.

The Americans also knew, as the Israelis had discovered, that the King Airs were faster than UAVs, enabling them to get where they were needed more quickly. More importantly the King Air carried more sensors than a UAV, which enabled it to be outfitted as a Ceasar aircraft. Moreover, having the equipment operators on board, along with a pilot and co-pilot available to just use their eyes on the target area, did make a difference over relying on operators elsewhere in Afghanistan, or somewhere else on the planet. That personal touch still makes a difference

In 2008 the first American MC-12 squadron was deployed to Iraq, where the twin engine aircraft was found to be durable and reliable and as useful as Israeli experience had already demonstrated. In its first six months those dozen aircraft flew over a thousand sorties in Iraq. That's about four sorties per week per aircraft. Most of the 43 MC-12s ordered have been sent to Afghanistan, where they have been worked hard and held up well to the heavy use. The arrival of these MC-12s was, in effect, the equivalent of increasing the Predator force by at least ten percent and adding a few more four engine electronic warfare aircraft (to eavesdrop on cell phones and walkies).

The MC-12 pilots require a nine week training course, which includes simulator time and twelve flights in the actual aircraft. This converts the pilot of another aircraft type (fighter, tanker, transport) to one who can handle the MC-12. The two equipment operators can do all their training on a simulator. The MC-12 itself is a modified version of the much older RC-12 electronic reconnaissance aircraft.  The MC-12 provides the same service as a UAV (full motion video) in addition to electronic monitoring (radio, cell phone, etc.). These were a big help because UAVs could not be manufactured fast enough to supply battlefield needs, so the manned MC-12s help fill the gap.

The King Air 350 is a 5.6 ton, twin engine aircraft. The MC-12 has advantages over UAVs. It can carry over a ton of sensors, several times what a Predator can haul. The MC-12 can fly higher (11 kilometers/35,000 feet) and is faster (over 500 kilometers an hour, versus 215 for the Predator). The MC-12s cost about $20 million each, more than twice what a Predator goes for. The MC-12's crew consists of two pilots and two equipment operators. The Tzufits have a crew of five. Some of the sensors are operated from the ground. The Tzufit's are earlier King Air models, and can't fly as high as the MC-12s. But Israel is a smaller place and the Tzufits are all the King Air that is needed. Moreover, the Tzufit crews fly along the Gaza and Leabanese border for years and have acquired a detailed knowledge of what is below. This makes their capabilities even greater than what the aircraft is capable of.

The King Air 350 (and earlier models) has long been used by the U.S. Army and Air Force as a light cargo and passenger transport (the C-12 Huron). The MC-12 in Nigeria probably came from those AFRICOM has deployed in Africa. Most are based in Djibouti where American and French forces have built a large special operations base since September 11, 2001.

newafricaken254:
Gunmen kill 12 Niger gendarmes in attack near Mali border

Gunmen mounted on pick-up trucks and motorcycles killed 12 gendarmes and wounded several in an attack on their base in western Niger, near the Mali border, on Saturday, two security sources said.

The village is a few dozen kilometres from where militants killed four U.S. soldiers in an ambush on October 4 that has thrown a spotlight on the U.S. counter-terrorism mission in Niger, which straddles a large expanse of the Sahara.

The gunmen crossed over the border from Mali and drove up to the village of Ayorou, about 40 km inside, before springing their attack, the security sources said.

“They were heavily armed. They had rocket launchers and machine guns. They came in four vehicles each with about seven fighters,” said a security source on the scene.

One of the attackers was killed in an exchange of fire, he added. A spokesman for Niger’s military said he could not confirm any details of the attack.

Several Islamist militant groups and well-armed ethnic militia are known to operate in the area near the border with Mali, and there have been at least 46 attacks recorded there since early least year.

However, security officials suspect a relatively new militant group called Islamic State in the Greater Sahara to have been behind many of them, including the ambush on the joint U.S.-Niger patrol. link https://africa.cgtn.com/2017/10/21/gunmen-kill-12-niger-gendarmes-in-attack-near-mali-border/

its very likely this is the same group that attacked american special ops,i thought pentagon was going after them

egyptian recover a Sherpa Light 4x4 light tactical vehicle and crew ,lost during an ambush which claimed lives of at least 55 Egyptian police and conscripts

Africa's best MRAP vehicle and the little beast PF2 LAV

Nigerian army's new babies

LAVs are an indespensible asset for any military. The ability to move armour quickly to the battlefield cannot be quantified.

MRAPs are nice and all, but the Gambia OP showed, they are not easily deployable, especially for a country with limited lift capabilities. Even the French struggled to deploy heavy armour in Mali, Infact they did not deploy a single MRAP in Mali.

The Senegalese in Gambia showed the absolute usefulness of the LAV, deploying the RAM, Plasan Sandcat and armoured Humvees.

We should follow Algeria which has ordered 200 Nimr LAVs and build on our existing 72 Panhard VBLs with the Proforce PF 2.

NAF NEUTRALIZES GATHERING OF BOKO HARAM TERRORISTS, SETS BOKO HARAM STRUCTURES ON FIRE




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEdOL9n5tug

Kinda sad when someone trolls their own thread

So did Nigeria kinda just give up on JF-17? Haven't heard anything about that for a while.

Henry240:
Africa's best MRAP vehicle and the little beast PF2 LAV

Nigerian army's new babies

I don’t know how proforce came up with this camo scheme but it really amplifies the beauty of these vehicles (not that aesthetics is everything).

Proforce should design a desert camo as well, something to fit the conditions in the NE and appeal to potential export customers.

Henry240:
LAVs are an indespensible asset for any military. The ability to move armour quickly to the battlefield cannot be quantified.

MRAPs are nice and all, but the Gambia OP showed, they are not easily deployable, especially for a country with limited lift capabilities. Even the French struggled to deploy heavy armour in Mali, Infact they did not deploy a single MRAP in Mali.

The Senegalese in Gambia showed the absolute usefulness of the LAV, deploying the RAM, Plasan Sandcat and armoured Humvees only.

We should follow Algeria which has ordered 200 Nimr LAVs and build on our existing 72 Panhard VBLs with the Proforce PF 2.

That is not an LAV, its an okada
And I don't care what the manufacturer says it is,, when I say its an okada, it's an okada

Makurdi tactical air command


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovCUgYW9Hrg

Henry240:
LAVs are an indespensible asset for any military. The ability to move armour quickly to the battlefield cannot be quantified.

MRAPs are nice and all, but the Gambia OP showed, they are not easily deployable, especially for a country with limited lift capabilities. Even the French struggled to deploy heavy armour in Mali, Infact they did not deploy a single MRAP in Mali.

The Senegalese in Gambia showed the absolute usefulness of the LAV, deploying the RAM, Plasan Sandcat and armoured Humvees only.

We should follow Algeria which has ordered 200 Nimr LAVs and build on our existing 72 Panhard VBLs with the Proforce PF 2.

Didn't the Senegalese also deploy to the Gambia with Elands, Ratels, and those Chinese-built PTL-02 tank destroyers as well?

Henry240:
Africa's best MRAP vehicle and the little beast PF2 LAV

Nigerian army's new babies

Fvck off, troll

Henry240:

Even the French struggled to deploy heavy armour in Mali, Infact they did not deploy a single MRAP in Mali.

Why do you talk about things you know nothing about?

Hrmnn:


Didn't the Senegalese also deploy to the Gambia with Elands, Ratels, and those Chinese-built PTL-02 tank destroyers as well?

They did Off-course. My point is LAVs comprised the most of their armour.

slimthugchime:


That is not an LAV, its an okada
And I don't care what the manufacturer says it is,, when I say its an okada, it's an okada

jakeporeshenko:

I don’t know how proforce came up with this camo scheme but it really amplifies the beauty of these vehicles (not that aesthetics is everything).

Proforce should design a desert camo as well, something to fit the conditions in the NE and appeal to potential export customers.

I agree, the Cammo pattern does bring out the beauty of the vehicles.

I've seen some of thier vehicles in desert Camo, like the armoured hilux, i don't think i really like that Cammo. It looks a little bit too "yellowish".

newafricaken254:
egyptian police Sherpa Light 4x4 light tactical vehicle

when will innoson and proforce give us dis

newafricaken254:
The tri-service Guard Of Honour led by Lieutenant Colonel Meshack Kishoyan of the 9th Battalion Kenya Rifles at Mashujaa Day 2017

any video of march

Shadow War in the Sahara
[https://m.youtube.com/watch?t=6s&v=cHwoLlV4nEs]

giles14:
any video of march

it actually like this rehearsal

 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1xo7ZKI4rc

patches689:


Why do you talk about things you know nothing about?

he tell the truth , french had difficulty to deploy it armed vehicles , they used US, british , canadian C-17 Globemaster III to transport their ERC-90 Sagaie, AMX-10 RC and VABs . and later the VBCI was sent by logistic ships


Zero heavy tank leclerc ( not adapted for guerilla in desert sahara) , and zéro Mrap until april 2016 when three french soldiers died in an IED(12 april 2016) , they sent only six Aravis (with level 4 mine protection) for IED .

IbnSultaan:
Shadow War in the Sahara
[https://m.youtubch?t=6s&v=cHwoLlV4nEs]

Great, i'm yet to see a single French MRAP in the video. The French who depended quite heavily on thier NATO allies for the transport of heavy armour in Mali. The US, British contributing significant numbers of C-17s to France during Operation Serval.

The French also chartered Russian charter aircrafts to move VABs.

Algerian1:


he tell the truth , french had difficulty to deploy it armed vehicles , they used US, british , canadian C-17 Globemaster III to transport their ERC-90 Sagaie, AMX-10 RC and VABs .


Zero heavy tank leclerc , and zéro Mrap until april 2016 when three french soldiers died in an IED(12 april 2016) , they sent only six Aravis (with level 4 mine protection) for IED .

Thank you.

For every right thinking individual that followed Operation Serval, we could all see the French military struggled to transport heavy armour to Mali. In a region which France considers as it's strong hold, also a region with multiple French bases.

My point is not to compare Nigeria to France, only to state why Nigeria should consider the purchase of LAVs in significant numbers to support Quick Intervention missions, seeing that a major world power such as France also struggled to deploy with it's own capacity to a country in a region where it wields significant influence.

Hence i specifically said, like Algeria, we should try purchase a minimum of 200 LAVs. Which would help us rapidly deploy while the Army sorts out how to transport it's heavy equipment.

Mi-26T2 , yesterday 21-10-2017 ain salah Algeria AF


you can appreciate the size of the beast

Handoff ceremony to the Algerian navy yesterday October 21st, 2017. of the beauty El mellah 938 , New Sailing school ship





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywkx4fEkq3E

Algerian1:


he tell the truth , french had difficulty to deploy it armed vehicles , they used US, british , canadian C-17 Globemaster III to transport their ERC-90 Sagaie, AMX-10 RC and VABs . and later the VBCI was sent by logistic ships


Zero heavy tank leclerc ( not adapted for guerilla in desert sahara) , and zéro Mrap until april 2016 when three french soldiers died in an IED(12 april 2016) , they sent only six Aravis (with level 4 mine protection) for IED .

Thats not the point, is it?

His argument is: French struggled to deploy armor - see no MRAPs!

When, infact, they deployed vehicles that are far heavier and harder to transport than MRAPs.

If Henry120 had any idea what he was talking about he would know that the french had deployed both a full Mechanised Brigade, with AMX's/VBCI's and VBA's as well as a light amored battalion with more AMX's and VBCI's

To cite a lack of MRAP's as being indicitive of "troubles in deploying heavy equipment" is mind-numbingly re.tarded when the French deployed HEAVIER vehicles

Nigerian navy Seaward Defence Boat, NNS Andoni P100 out patrol with a Navy A109e hovering above.

Henry240:

Thank you.

For every right thinking individual that followed Operation Serval, we could all see the French military struggled to transport heavy armour to Mali. In a region which France considers as it's strong hold, also a region with multiple French bases.

1. Ludicrous conclusion.
2. Thats not what you said

Henry240:

Even the French struggled to deploy heavy armour in Mali, Infact they did not deploy a single MRAP in Mali.

Your assertion is: look France didn't deploy MRAPS why should we? Instead we should deploy LAVs!

Which is literally the complete opposite of the lesson learnt in this example

1. French chose the equipment they deemed necessary for their mission. You dont think that they couldn't spam some of their ~2500 LAV's if they wanted to? They didnt send MRAP's or LAV's because they sent HEAVIER and BETTER PROTECTED vehicles with MORE FIREPOWER. Thus, how one could draw the conclusion that the priority should be on LIGHTER, WORSE PROTECTED vehicles with LESS FIREPOWER is beyond me.

2. The air-lift problem France faced was specifically because they decided to deploy heavier vehicles to the theater. The problem stems from an active decision on force composition, and not your assertion: that force composition was decided by lift capabilities.
http://www.iiss.org/en/iiss%20voices/blogsections/iiss-voices-2013-1e35/january-2013-fac9/mali-airlift-befa

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