October 6, 2005: Nigeria is rebuilding its air force by purchasing twelve F-7 fighters from China, as well as three trainers. The fighters will cost about $18 million each, the trainers a bit less. Included are training, maintenance equipment, munitions (cannon shells, missiles, rockets and bombs) and spare parts. The F-7 is a Chinese version of the Russian MiG-21. Nigeria has used MiG-21s before, but the ones it still has are old, poorly maintained and not worth upgrading. The F-7s have more modern electronics, and numerous upgrades to their airframe and engines.
