Army acquires 43 drones, wings 46 Turkey-trained personnel

The Federal Government of Nigeria has enhanced the operational capabilities of the Nigerian Army by acquiring forty-three Bayraktar TB2 drones, focusing on counterinsurgency efforts in the North-West region. Brigadier General U.G. Ogeleka, Commander of the Nigerian Army Space Command, made this announcement during a ceremony in Abuja, marking the winging of personnel trained to operate and maintain the drones.

The initiative, termed Project Guardian, is part of a broader strategy to address insurgency and other security threats. Between May and September 2022, a dedicated team of 35 officers and 11 soldiers received specialized training in Turkey to master the operation and maintenance of these advanced drones. The training program covered multi-piloted aircraft piloting, mission operations, avionics, mechanical engineering, and technical maintenance.

Out of the 46 personnel trained, 14 are qualified as multi-piloted aircraft pilots, seven as mission operators, and 23 as engineers and technicians. At the winging ceremony, General Ogeleka highlighted that 22 of these trained personnel were present, while the rest are already engaged in active operational assignments. This development underscores the Nigerian Army’s commitment to leveraging modern technology to strengthen its defense capabilities.