Army acquires 43 drones, wings 46 Turkey-trained personnel

The Federal Government has bolstered the Nigerian Army’s operational capacity with the acquisition of 43 Bayraktar TB2 drones, primarily for deployment in the North-West theatre of operations.

The Commander of the Nigerian Army Space Command, Brig. Gen. U.G. Ogeleka, disclosed this on Tuesday during the winging ceremony of 46 personnel trained in the operation and maintenance of the drones.

The initiative, codenamed Project Guardian, aims to strengthen military operations against insurgency and other security challenges in the region.

“Between May and September 2022, a team of 35 officers and 11 soldiers from the Nigerian Army’s routinely piloted aircraft system regiments underwent specialised training in Turkey on the operation and maintenance of the Bayraktar TB2 drones,” Ogeleka said. “The training crew included multi-piloted aircraft pilots, mission operators, avionics, and mechanical engineers and technicians.”

Out of the 46 trained personnel, 14 are multi-piloted aircraft pilots, seven are mission operators, and 23 are engineers and technicians.

Ogeleka presented 22 of the trained personnel for the winging ceremony, noting that the others are actively engaged in operational duties.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, praised the acquisition of the drones and the training of personnel as significant steps toward enhancing the army’s professionalism and combat readiness.

“The winging of these 22 officers and soldiers as pilots and certified maintenance engineers is a morale booster for others in service,” Oluyede said. “It confirms their readiness to operate and maintain the Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones in our inventory.”

Oluyede further revealed plans to procure additional unmanned aerial systems in the coming year to strengthen military operations across all theatres in the country.

The drones will play a critical role in addressing security challenges in the North-West, a region plagued by banditry and insurgency.

Their advanced surveillance and strike capabilities are expected to significantly enhance the Nigerian Army’s operational effectiveness.

This development underscores the government’s commitment to leveraging technology to improve national security and highlights the Nigerian Army’s drive to modernize its arsenal and build capacity within its ranks.

With more unmanned aerial systems set for acquisition, the military’s ability to conduct precise, real-time surveillance and combat operations is poised for substantial improvement.