The Federal Authorities has bolstered the Nigerian Military’s operational capability with the acquisition of 43 Bayraktar TB2 drones, primarily for deployment within the North-West theatre of operations.
The Commander of the Nigerian Military Area Command, Brig. Gen. U.G. Ogeleka, disclosed this on Tuesday in the course of the winging ceremony of 46 personnel educated within the operation and upkeep of the drones.
The initiative, codenamed Mission Guardian, goals to strengthen army operations in opposition to insurgency and different safety challenges within the area.
“Between Could and September 2022, a workforce of 35 officers and 11 troopers from the Nigerian Military’s routinely piloted plane system regiments underwent specialised coaching in Turkey on the operation and upkeep of the Bayraktar TB2 drones,” Ogeleka mentioned. “The coaching crew included multi-piloted plane pilots, mission operators, avionics, and mechanical engineers and technicians.”
Out of the 46 educated personnel, 14 are multi-piloted plane pilots, seven are mission operators, and 23 are engineers and technicians.
Ogeleka introduced 22 of the educated personnel for the winging ceremony, noting that the others are actively engaged in operational duties.
The Chief of Military Employees, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, praised the acquisition of the drones and the coaching of personnel as important steps towards enhancing the military’s professionalism and fight readiness.
“The winging of those 22 officers and troopers as pilots and authorized upkeep engineers is a morale booster for others in service,” Oluyede mentioned. “It confirms their readiness to function and preserve the Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones in our stock.”
Oluyede additional revealed plans to obtain extra unmanned aerial programs within the coming yr to strengthen army operations throughout all theatres within the nation.
The drones will play a important function in addressing safety challenges within the North-West, a area tormented by banditry and insurgency.
Their superior surveillance and strike capabilities are anticipated to considerably improve the Nigerian Military’s operational effectiveness.
This growth underscores the federal government’s dedication to leveraging expertise to enhance nationwide safety and highlights the Nigerian Military’s drive to modernize its arsenal and construct capability inside its ranks.
With extra unmanned aerial programs set for acquisition, the army’s capability to conduct exact, real-time surveillance and fight operations is poised for substantial enchancment.