Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, touched down in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, on Tuesday to speak with the management of MAGNUS AIRCRAFT Group to find ways on how to build the manufacturing and assemblage of aircraft capacity in Nigeria.
Keyamo’s visit is in honour of an invitation sent to him by MAGNUS AIRCRAFT Group to attend its product introduction event, a useful way to explore areas of collaboration and strategic partnership that would be beneficial for both parties.
According to Tunde Moshood, Special Assistant on Media and Communications to the Minister, “The company showcased its latest innovation, the Hungarian MF-212 multifunctional aircraft, designed for training and aerial surveillance purposes.”
Most importantly, the minister, accompanied by his team, looked at areas of possible collaboration, especially for staging the manufacturing and assemblage of modern multipurpose aircraft in Nigeria.
Moshood said in a statement made available to BusinessDay that “of particular interest was the integration of these aircraft into the training programmes for students at the Africa Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU) in Abuja.”
Keyamo and his team also had the opportunity to visit various organisations in Hungary, including MOULDTECH Engineering and the Military Equipment Factory.
The highlight of the visit was a meeting with MAGNUS Aircraft’s CEO, Boros Laszlo, who guided the delegation through the company’s state-of-the-art facilities.
The tour covered the production line, assembly of composite parts, painting, aircraft parts assembly, engine installation, final quality checks, test flights, and quality handover.
The MF-212 is a two-seater low-wing aircraft made entirely of carbon composite materials, featuring a fixed, non-retractable landing gear.
With its high aerobatic and operational characteristics, the aircraft can withstand an overload of +11.8/-6.3g, making it suitable for various applications.
MAGNUS Group’s CEO highlighted the aircraft’s unique safety features, including the use of normal petrol (PMS) as fuel and a ballistic recovery system. The parachute pack, situated in front of the cabin, adds an extra layer of safety.
The versatile MF-212 can be adapted for private use, business flights, training purposes, aerial surveillance, military pilot training, border monitoring, disaster management, agricultural observation, anti-terrorism, anti-piracy missions, and UAV applications.
In a significant move towards technology transfer, MAGNUS AIRCRAFT Company has established a partnership with the Ministry of Aviation, Nigeria. A manufacturing factory in NCAT, Zaria, was commissioned on May 26, 2023.
The collaboration includes training programmes for NCAT engineers on aircraft manufacture and assembly and type rating training for end-users such as the Nigerian Army, Air Force, and NSCDC Pilots and Engineers.
The impact of this collaboration is already evident, with MAGNUS AIRCRAFT products deployed for agricultural purposes by NALDA and utilised by NCAT for security and surveillance duties.
Deliveries have also been made to Ghana, Morocco, Egypt, Kenya, and South Africa, showcasing the aircraft’s global relevance.
Keyamo and his team experienced firsthand the capabilities of the MF-212 during test flights, marking a significant milestone in potential collaborations between Nigeria and MAGNUS Aircraft.
The company’s establishment of an assembly plant in NCAT, Nigeria, further strengthens its commitment to technology transfer and growth in the aviation sector.
