Nigerian Air Force A-29 Super Tucano, HMoD, CAS & COAS

Nigerian made Inshore Patrol Crafts

Nigerian Navy SBS Spec Ops

Stargate254:
One decade ago, If I read something like this, I would have said its wishful thinking but As we have seen time and time again, its not too late to start your mil industrial RnD.... some countries started with sh!!t that looked funny and they were ridiculed for their so called inventions, 10-30 years later, and no one is laughing anymore, They are exporting - selling and eating into the pie of those that used to laugh at them.
All is needed is political will, a set of strictly followed timeframes run by good management team and full budgetary allocations and soon enough we will be surprising ourselves with each newer version of our prototype.

Correct. One good thing Uhunye has done is establishing the Ruiru small arms factory. Ofc, its his and IDGAF: the facility can be upscaled to produce other military products incl aerospace parts.
There's a 500k USD 5 axis CNC onsite. Coupled with trained cadre, political will and quality material the sky is literally the limit.

kikuyu1:


Correct. One good thing Uhunye has done is establishing the Ruiru small arms factory. Ofc, its his and IDGAF: the facility can be upscaled to produce other military products incl aerospace parts.
There's a 500k USD 5 axis CNC onsite. Coupled with trained cadre, political will and quality material the sky is literally the limit.

Do they sell the guns to the public or is it only for military

kabe1:
American family snapping & making the most of Nigerian Air Force pre-delivery A-29 Super Tucano.

wawu, the only one time I got close to an air force jet was during a graduation course of newly winged pilots at Kano, my dad was an instructor pilot then.

Some airmen left me because I be oga pikin but if you see the way my papa carry pursue me comot ehnnn.

Since then I respected myself and knew boundaries.

Stargate254:
One decade ago, If I read something like this, I would have said its wishful thinking but As we have seen time and time again, its not too late to start your mil industrial RnD.... some countries started with sh!!t that looked funny and they were ridiculed for their so called inventions, 10-30 years later, and no one is laughing anymore, They are exporting - selling and eating into the pie of those that used to laugh at them.
All is needed is political will, a set of strictly followed timeframes run by good management team and full budgetary allocations and soon enough we will be surprising ourselves with each newer version of our prototype.

China, South Korea and Turkey did not start with clumsy inventions. No nation would spend 100s millions on second class arms just to support the local defence industry.
These countries followed a better plan: First they layed the foundation of their defense industry by license building foreign equipment and platforms. And then with a functioning industry at the base, manned with a well trained workforce, they acquired successively more and more technology-transfer deals to catch up. Today their academically educated workforce can innovate into new fields and produce state of the at equipment. This takes decades and not just will but also a huge amount of financial resources that we dont have at the moment.

jakeporeshenko:
Incoming

Please do you have video link of the recently released NAF documentary?

.

Botswana SF's Jankel Fox Long Range Patrol Vehicles (LRPV) in Mozambique.

SAAF Rooivalk escorting Oryx in the DRC.

kabe1:


Please do you have video link of the recently released NAF documentary?

Nigerian Airforce at 57?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9JeMRZ6OoM&list=FL8Oxqapwz800ORABfs7vJEg&index=6

arma19:


Nigerian Airforce at 57?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9JeMRZ6OoM&list=FL8Oxqapwz800ORABfs7vJEg&index=6

Thank you bro.

However i'm not referring to this one. I'm referring to the documentary released 4 days ago. Do you have that?

zambia new president fires defence and security commanders
[photo] former president on the mid with fired defence and security chiefs

SuperSixSeven:


China, South Korea and Turkey did not start with clumsy inventions. No nation would spend 100s millions on second class arms just to support the local defence industry.
These countries followed a better plan: First they layed the foundation of their defense industry by license building foreign equipment and platforms. And then with a functioning industry at the base, manned with a well trained workforce, they acquired successively more and more technology-transfer deals to catch up. Today their academically educated workforce can innovate into new fields and produce state of the at equipment. This takes decades and not just will but also a huge amount of financial resources that we dont have at the moment.

That's the kind of close minded thinking that makes us not even bother starting our own defense industries in the first place..... You don't need to be making "license built" weapons for you to make quality products 10 years from now... you can go from zero to 60 pretty quick these days. And if the expertise and the experience isn't there, there are plenty of experts in the diaspora working in world renowned companies that we can bring back home to give us the expertise that we need....

I mean, look at the Ezwugu MRAP that Nigeria makes, first version looked like they took a chassis and wielded armourments as a body and called it an MRAP, It looked funny, it looked to heavy.... A few years later, each newer version looked more professional, and now if you put that MRAP in the middle of others in a Military exhibition show in Dubai or Paris, no one will doubt that it belongs there.

And if you think about it, Manufacturing equipment isn't the biggest challenge to owning an invention, the biggest challenge is designing and simulating that the product works even before you make the first prototype for testing.... When you are license building something you don't get to make decisions or gain a lot of experience on this part, You are making products that have already been designed and tested, you are basically following step by step instructions made by the real inventors. So we can start by sending our brightest to these institutions to learn from the best before coming back to do wonders.

So I say, lets pick our brightest minds from universities to make those 2nd class indigenous equipment worth hundreds of million(in research)... Lets then test them and learn from where we went wrong and try and improve on it.... 30 years from now, we will be asking ourselves why we start right after independence for we would be years decades ahead.

Stargate254:


I mean, look at the Ezwugu MRAP that Nigeria makes, first version looked like they took a chassis and wielded armourments as a body and called it an MRAP, It looked funny, it looked to heavy.... A few years later, each newer version looked more professional, and now if you put that MRAP in the middle of others in a Military exhibition show in Dubai or Paris, no one will doubt that it belongs there.

And if you think about it, Manufacturing equipment isn't the biggest challenge to owning an invention, t[b]he biggest challenge is designing and simulating that the product works [/b]even before you make the first prototype for testing.... When you are license building something you don't get to make decisions or gain a lot of experience on this part, You are making products that have already been designed and tested, you are basically following step by step instructions made by the real inventors. So we can start by sending our brightest to these institutions to learn from the best before coming back to do wonders.

1. The biggest challenge is to manage the production process, everyone in the industry knows that Look at Tesla, their products are highly innovative and there is demand but still they struggle in terms of quantity and quality. The success of VW and Toyota is based on their unmatched perfected supply, logistics and production management. This is why those mentioned countries followed this route.

2. People ignore the fact that the Ezwugu MRAP and the ARA 1 have nothing in common, beside the they are based on a Ukrainian truck chassis. The ARA 1 design has some foreign influence - by SA engineers.

kabe1:


Thank you bro.

However i'm not referring to this one. I'm referring to the documentary released 4 days ago. Do you have that?

Sorry, i do not

Aresa Patrol Boats for the Nigerian Navy

CNS VISION AND MISSION STATEMENT FOR THE NN – A LECTURE DELIVERED BY THE CHIEF OF THE NAVAL STAFF VICE ADMIRAL AZ GAMBO AM GSS psc ensp (RSA) MTM MNIM MUSNI FCIS FIIPS FCAI TO PARTICIPANTS OF NAVAL WARFARE COURSE 5 ON 5 AUGUST 2021
POSTED ON AUGUST 6, 2021 BY DINFO
INTRODUCTION




CURRENT STRUCTURE OF THE NIGERIAN NAVY






To secure the nation’s maritime environment, the NN conceptualized a multi-layered Total Spectrum Maritime Strategy (TSMS) designed to enable rapid deployment to counter the wide range of threats confronting the nation’s maritime interests. The maritime strategy is quite comprehensive and covers measures that include the defence of Nigeria’s territorial integrity, prevention of illegal activities in the nation’s EEZ, enforcement of maritime regulations, and safety of lives at sea and prevention of illegal activities in the nation’s backwaters. This strategy is approached through a mutually reinforcing trinity of actions that emphasis an effective maritime surveillance, response capabilities and enforcement of the nation’s maritime laws. The NN’s activities, which cut across the 5 spectrums of the TSMS, would thus be appraised in the light of these operational concepts.

Maritime Surveillance. The NN Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) or surveillance infrastructure is the backbone of maritime operations. The Service therefore strives to maintain a round the clock surveillance of Nigeria’s maritime space using the MDA system in addition to the deployment of surface vessels and helicopters. T[b]he MDA infrastructure comprises a combination of functional radar sites including Command and Control Centres across the nation’s coastline which track vessels within our waters and serve as force multipliers in ensuring that patrols at sea are more result oriented and cost effective. Though the coastal radar project is yet to be completed, the system has recently been used to foil several piracy incidents and arrest vessels engaged in crude theft. For instance, within the First Quarter of 2021, at least 10 vessels, 4 speed boats and 66 wooden vessels were arrested for contravening various maritime laws. The NN intends to augment the MDA facilities with yet to be acquired Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) as well as pursuing the acquisition of at least 2 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) to ensure a complete surveillance of the nation’s maritime area of interest.[/b] To further enhance NN surveillance and MDA capabilities, the Service has endorsed an MoU on white shipping with the Indian Navy and has been accepted to join the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) in addition to the Italian Trans-Regional Maritime Network, which she joined in 2015. These strategic partnerships have the potential to further boost NN MDA capacity across both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, with positive impact on her surveillance capacity for improved policing functions.


NIGERIAN NAVY OPERATION APPROACH TO MARITIME THREATS

To achieve NN operational concepts, the Service has continued to refine its approaches to maritime operations with significant achievements recorded over the years. The approaches also cut across the 5 spectrums of the TSMS as follows:

Anti- Piracy Operations. The NN has activated dedicated operations and initiatives to enhance its policing capability towards the peaceful use of the nation’s maritime environment. These initiatives have engendered several recorded successes in the anti-piracy operations conducted by the bases. For instance, from a high of 89 pirate attacks recorded in the GoG and 70 in Nigerian waters for 2016, the GoG in 2019 witnessed 47 cases against 21 in Nigerian waters. Furthermore, from Jan to 26 May 2021, there were 8 pirate attacks in the GoG while only 5 within Nigeria waters. It is instructive to note that most of these attacks in Nigerian waters were aborted arising from prompt response of the NN ships on patrol through a robust MDA infrastructure. Notably, on 14 Jul 21, the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) in its report observed a marked decline in piracy and other illegal activities to an all-time lowest level since 1994.

ADHERENCE TO THE NN STRATEGIC PLAN

To achieve her Mission objectives, the NN has over the past 5 years made concerted efforts to implement the Strategic Plan along identified lines; fleet renewal, infrastructure and logistics as well as HRM and capacity building. Accordingly, the NN prioritized her activities, projects, budgets and plans in line with these pillars:

Fleet Renewal. Owing to the significance of platforms to the attainment of its Mission objectives, the NN has made and still making significant strides in the recapitalization of her fleet. With the support of the FGN, the NN has acquired offshore patrol vessels, fast attack craft and more than 300 inshore patrol crafts. Ongoing foreign construction expected within the short-to-medium term include: 100m Landing Ship Tank from DAMEN Shipyard-Netherlands, 45m Fast Patrol Craft from Poly Technology Incorporated-China while the contract for 35m Hydrographic Survey Ship has been signed with OCEA Shipbuilding. The NN is also in the process of procuring UAVs to enhance our response capability. In consolidation of the local ship building effort, indigenous construction of the SDB III as well as water and fuel barges and houseboats are progressing steadily. Other op platforms and equipment are expected for delivery within the next one or 2 years while some other vessels and aircrafts are also expected under the Deep Blue project in conjunction with the Ministry of Transport. The fleet renewal has evidently paid off with increased NN footprints across the maritime domain leading to the arrest of hundreds of suspected criminals for various maritime offences in the last 5 years, aside the huge deterrence value.

Logistics and Infrastructure. As part of effort to enhance NN’s capacity to effectively deliver on her mandate to protect the nation’s maritime environment and motivate her personnel for improved output, the Service embarked on numerous infrastructural and administrative or welfare projects across the Navy:



Operational Capacity Building. As part of the CNS Vision, the NN has greatly enhanced the capacity of her personnel by investing in operational and specialized technical manpower training with various OEMs abroad. Of significance is the MTU 2000/4000 series Engine training and the medical diagnostic equipment training with their respective manufacturers in Germany as well as the establishment of an Outboard Engine School at the NN Engineering College in Sapele to build capacity for maintenance of the about 1,000 outboard engines in the navy’s inventory. The NN has also reactivated the Apprenticeship Training School at Naval Dockyard Limited Lagos to help build requisite capacity for skilled artisans like welders, fitters and special equipment operators. Capacity development in these specialized areas as well as significantly contribute to NN’s capacity for the maintenance of her platforms and local shipbuilding efforts.



INADEQUATE PLATFORMS

Notably, the FGN’s ambitious intervention regarding platform acquisition has greatly boosted the NN fleet as shown on the Screen. However, the mix of platforms in the NN inventory is largely inadequate considering the scope of NN tasks and the expanse of her AOR coupled with the prospect of establishing new bases. From the TSMS in 2012, a shortfall of about 8 Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) and about 69 Fast Attack Craft exist. These adequacies have adversely affected the NN capacity to effectively secure the nation’s maritime environment thus, making sustained fleet recapitalization effort a top priority in the NN.

INADEQUATE SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE FOR MARITIME POLICING

The progress made in the current fleet recapitalization effort has exposed the magnitude of support infrastructure deficit required for the mounting and sustainment of operations. For instance, the NN does not have any standard Base in the Niger Delta Area where many of the maritime security challenges are prevalent. Thus, the NN operates from bases that are not as equipped as desired and located far inland along the creeks. In fact, NN major bases in Warri, Port Harcourt and Calabar are located between 3 to 8 hours from the coast. This results in the loss of valuable time transiting to sea in response to threats or emergencies. Accordingly, the NN is in dire need of purpose built Bases along the coast equipped with appropriate support infrastructure like jetties, POL storage and repair facilities to sustain maritime operations.

DIFFICULT OPERATING ENVIRONMENT

Maritime operation within Nigeria’s coastal waters is often burdened by the large number of wrecks and other dangers to navigation, particularly in approaches to major ports. For instance, NNS CALABAR, one of NN’s new OCEA patrol boats sank along Badagry Creek in March 2019 while 5 other patrol vessels sank between April 2018 and Jan 2020 around Escravos channel, due to collision with submerged wrecks. About 177 submerged and partially submerged wrecks have been identified along the approaches to major ports in the country. The NN has continued to interface with the Ministry of Transportation to ensure the expeditious removal of these dangers to safe navigation within the country’s waterways.

MIGRATORY TENDENCIES OF MARITIME CRIMES

The swift response of the NN to distress and illegal activities at sea has largely reduced the rate of successful attacks in Nigeria’s maritime domain. Unfortunately, recent observations have revealed a migratory trend, as many piracy/kidnappings are now being perpetrated in neighbouring countries, even though the perpetrators are alleged to be mostly of Nigerian origin. It is therefore necessary to extend NN operational activities in support of anti-piracy effort to neighbouring nation’s waters. This places additional burden on Nigeria and the NN as more ships and logistics is required for extension of these patrols.

WEAK LEGAL REGIMES

While the NN and MLEs agencies have made commendable effort in the arrest and prosecution of maritime offenders, loopholes in the nation’s judicial process such as situations which allows for endless trial periods for maritime crimes and so on continue to be exploited by criminals. This has led to prolonged litigations and several abandoned vessels across NN Bases. The effect of this lengthy trial process to the NN is evident in instances where out of the 414 vessels arrested between 2015 – date, 224 were handed over to prosecuting agencies, yet only 52 have been successfully prosecuted, leaving a balance of 270 still in the NN custody. Beyond the logistics and manpower committed to this process, the NN expends enormous resources to preserve and keep over 100 detained vessels afloat.

Due to this difficult operating environment, there is need for the NN to streamline (re-organise) her structure and operation in line with the TSMS, the CNS vision and mission. An appropriate legal framework would be necessary for the expeditious prosecution of maritime crimes in Nigeria in order to dissuade the criminals and lessen the burden on the NN for the custody of arrested vessels.

NON-DILIGENT PROSECUTION OF MARITIME RELATED CASES

In the conduct of her statutory enforcement and maritime policing roles the NN arrests numerous criminals for committing infractions in Nigeria’s maritime domain. However, unlike other enforcement agencies like the NPF, EFCC, NSCDC and NCS who prosecute arrested offenders within their areas of constitutional responsibility, the NN is not permitted to prosecute maritime suspects in civil court. The Service has to rely on lawyers from the MOD, other security agencies while retaining the services of private lawyers to prosecute maritime criminals, even though the NN has an established Directorate of Legal Services with a current strength of 60 qualified lawyers. The absence of NN lawyers in court usually denies the prosecution lawyers of expert knowledge often required to ensure diligent prosecution. In the last 4 years, the NN has lost a significant number of cases for non-diligent prosecution. The Service has also expended almost N300 million only on services provided by private lawyers at the expense of the provision other essential infrastructure for the Service.

NIGERIAN NAVY FUTURE PERSPECTIVES FOR IMPROVED OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY

In the foreseeable future, the maritime domain would continue to provide the mainstay of the nation’s economy. Government would thus have to decide between allocating scarce resources to competing demands vis-a-vis adequately providing for a robust Navy to safeguard critical national assets. To enhance NN’s ability to achieve its mission objectives, the Service is articulating new perspectives taking into cognizance its past experiences, current operational realities and the contemporary strategic security environment. Accordingly, with due cognizance of the limited resource allocation in the face of other compelling national needs, NN’s future policy direction will seek to optimize technology, broaden its partnership and funding base for effective delivery of maritime security.

UPGRADE OF NN MARITIME DOMAIN AWARENESS CAPACITY

The NN intends to continue to invest in MDA infrastructure as a force multiplier towards enhanced operational efficiency. Improved surveillance capacity will thus be pursued to ensure a complete real-time picture of Nigeria’s maritime environment that will focus NN operations and save the huge cost associated with prolonged presence at sea. The completion of the ongoing FE System and follow-on maintenance of the MDA systems will thus be critical lines of effort to enhance knowledge of the nation’s maritime environment for improved ocean governance. Effort is also on-going to integrate tactical and operational UAVs into the MDA systems to ensure all-round surveillance of the heavily forested back waters which are not fully covered by existing infrastructure. Accordingly, the NN is making plans for the acquisition of Backwaters Terrain Dominance System to enhance its domain awareness capability.

UPGRADE OF NN HYDROGRAPHIC DEPARTMENT

Requisite hydrographic capability is one of the key enablers in the attainment of a sustainable blue economy for the nation. The NN intends to develop hydrographic capacity beyond mere survey services to the production of relevant charts to incorporating data relevant to the blue economy and national security. Accordingly, in addition to the recent induction of the hydrography ship; NNS LANA on 17 May 21, survey boats and associated equipment, efforts are ongoing to upgrade the NN Hydrographic Department to a National Hydrographic Agency (NHA) to attract independent funding to drive attainment of its future objectives in line with best practices. To this end, the NN made a presentation recently on a bill for an act to establish the National Hydrographic Agency to carry out hydrographic and oceanographic surveys including ocean meteorology for national defence and civil requirements.

CONSOLIDATION OF NIGERIAN NAVY FLEET RENEWAL PROGRAMME

The NN’s ability to effectively deliver improved maritime security for the nation would be greatly enhanced if critical equipment shortfall in the areas of operating platforms and key infrastructure are addressed. Critical platforms including ships and aircraft are crucial for maritime operations. To this end, the NN is currently in the process of acquiring new vessels as well as several aircraft including 4 x A109E Helicopters and 3 x A109 Grand New Helicopters for the Deep Blue Project as well as another AW 139 Military Grade Helicopter for troop’s insertion, extraction and light interdiction missions while effort is also ongoing to conclude the extension of Naval Air Base Ojo runway. Going forward, the NN seeks to strengthen ongoing discussions with OEMs to commence local shipbuilding within the country as a sustainable means of guaranteeing fleet availability and readiness.

DELIBERATE DEVELOPMENT OF FORWARD OPERATIONS BASES

A focused and deliberate development of suitable NN Bases from existing FOBs at Bonny, Formoso, Ibaka and Escravos including support logistics infrastructure to aid mounting of operations is critical to NN’s operational efficiency. Accordingly, it is expedient that appropriate jetties, POL logistic depots and basic yard maintenance infrastructure are developed at the FOB in Ibaka, Bonny, Brass, Escravos and Takwa Bay.




EXPANSION OF NN SPECIAL OPERATIONS CAPABILITY

[b]The nation’s security environment remains fluid and is expected to continue to be characterized by asymmetric threats in the foreseeable future. Hence, the land spectrum of NN’s TSMS is increasingly being challenged by CT/COIN operations in several parts of the country. Already, the NNSBS is active in several joint operations across the country but will need to be regularly rejuvenated in personnel and equipment. To better meet the tasks imposed by COIN operations, the NN intends to establish 3 additional commands such as the Coast Guard, Naval Aviation and Special Warfare as well as train more personnel in commando/naval infantry roles. Also, there is plan to establish new operations Bases at EPE in Lagos State and Ogwuta in Imo State while a logistics training school is slated for Kano State. [/b]Relatedly, the NN in collaboration with NEMA intends to bolster its disaster response capability arising from the cases of flash flooding being experienced across the country since 2012. Furthermore, enhanced capability in Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal (NEOD) and underwater clearance operations would be given the priorities that they deserve. These special operations forces/capability would form the nucleus of the much desired special operations command.


The completion of the FE infrastructure along the nation’s coast line as well as the integration of UAVs and the Backwaters Terrain Dominance System would ensure full coverage of the EEZ including the heavily forested backwaters. This will improve NN’s MDA capability for effective surveillance of the maritime environment. On this note, Commandant, Members of Faculty and Participants, I thank you for your rapt attention. As we always say in the Nigerian Navy, Onward Together.


https://www.navy.mil.ng/2021/08/06/cns-vision-and-mission-statement-for-the-nn-a-lecture-delivered-by-the-chief-of-the-naval-staff-vice-admiral-az-gambo-am-gss-psc-ensp-rsa-mtm-mnim-musni-fcis-fiips-fcai-to-participants-of/

jakeporeshenko:
CNS VISION AND MISSION STATEMENT FOR THE NN – A LECTURE DELIVERED BY THE CHIEF OF THE NAVAL STAFF VICE ADMIRAL AZ GAMBO AM GSS psc ensp (RSA) MTM MNIM MUSNI FCIS FIIPS FCAI TO PARTICIPANTS OF NAVAL WARFARE COURSE 5 ON 5 AUGUST 2021
POSTED ON AUGUST 6, 2021 BY DINFO
INTRODUCTION




CURRENT STRUCTURE OF THE NIGERIAN NAVY






To secure the nation’s maritime environment, the NN conceptualized a multi-layered Total Spectrum Maritime Strategy (TSMS) designed to enable rapid deployment to counter the wide range of threats confronting the nation’s maritime interests. The maritime strategy is quite comprehensive and covers measures that include the defence of Nigeria’s territorial integrity, prevention of illegal activities in the nation’s EEZ, enforcement of maritime regulations, and safety of lives at sea and prevention of illegal activities in the nation’s backwaters. This strategy is approached through a mutually reinforcing trinity of actions that emphasis an effective maritime surveillance, response capabilities and enforcement of the nation’s maritime laws. The NN’s activities, which cut across the 5 spectrums of the TSMS, would thus be appraised in the light of these operational concepts.

Maritime Surveillance. The NN Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) or surveillance infrastructure is the backbone of maritime operations. The Service therefore strives to maintain a round the clock surveillance of Nigeria’s maritime space using the MDA system in addition to the deployment of surface vessels and helicopters. T[b]he MDA infrastructure comprises a combination of functional radar sites including Command and Control Centres across the nation’s coastline which track vessels within our waters and serve as force multipliers in ensuring that patrols at sea are more result oriented and cost effective. Though the coastal radar project is yet to be completed, the system has recently been used to foil several piracy incidents and arrest vessels engaged in crude theft. For instance, within the First Quarter of 2021, at least 10 vessels, 4 speed boats and 66 wooden vessels were arrested for contravening various maritime laws. The NN intends to augment the MDA facilities with yet to be acquired Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) as well as pursuing the acquisition of at least 2 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) to ensure a complete surveillance of the nation’s maritime area of interest.[/b] To further enhance NN surveillance and MDA capabilities, the Service has endorsed an MoU on white shipping with the Indian Navy and has been accepted to join the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) in addition to the Italian Trans-Regional Maritime Network, which she joined in 2015. These strategic partnerships have the potential to further boost NN MDA capacity across both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, with positive impact on her surveillance capacity for improved policing functions.


NIGERIAN NAVY OPERATION APPROACH TO MARITIME THREATS

To achieve NN operational concepts, the Service has continued to refine its approaches to maritime operations with significant achievements recorded over the years. The approaches also cut across the 5 spectrums of the TSMS as follows:

Anti- Piracy Operations. The NN has activated dedicated operations and initiatives to enhance its policing capability towards the peaceful use of the nation’s maritime environment. These initiatives have engendered several recorded successes in the anti-piracy operations conducted by the bases. For instance, from a high of 89 pirate attacks recorded in the GoG and 70 in Nigerian waters for 2016, the GoG in 2019 witnessed 47 cases against 21 in Nigerian waters. Furthermore, from Jan to 26 May 2021, there were 8 pirate attacks in the GoG while only 5 within Nigeria waters. It is instructive to note that most of these attacks in Nigerian waters were aborted arising from prompt response of the NN ships on patrol through a robust MDA infrastructure. Notably, on 14 Jul 21, the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) in its report observed a marked decline in piracy and other illegal activities to an all-time lowest level since 1994.

ADHERENCE TO THE NN STRATEGIC PLAN

To achieve her Mission objectives, the NN has over the past 5 years made concerted efforts to implement the Strategic Plan along identified lines; fleet renewal, infrastructure and logistics as well as HRM and capacity building. Accordingly, the NN prioritized her activities, projects, budgets and plans in line with these pillars:

Fleet Renewal. Owing to the significance of platforms to the attainment of its Mission objectives, the NN has made and still making significant strides in the recapitalization of her fleet. With the support of the FGN, the NN has acquired offshore patrol vessels, fast attack craft and more than 300 inshore patrol crafts. Ongoing foreign construction expected within the short-to-medium term include: 100m Landing Ship Tank from DAMEN Shipyard-Netherlands, 45m Fast Patrol Craft from Poly Technology Incorporated-China while the contract for 35m Hydrographic Survey Ship has been signed with OCEA Shipbuilding. The NN is also in the process of procuring UAVs to enhance our response capability. In consolidation of the local ship building effort, indigenous construction of the SDB III as well as water and fuel barges and houseboats are progressing steadily. Other op platforms and equipment are expected for delivery within the next one or 2 years while some other vessels and aircrafts are also expected under the Deep Blue project in conjunction with the Ministry of Transport. The fleet renewal has evidently paid off with increased NN footprints across the maritime domain leading to the arrest of hundreds of suspected criminals for various maritime offences in the last 5 years, aside the huge deterrence value.

Logistics and Infrastructure. As part of effort to enhance NN’s capacity to effectively deliver on her mandate to protect the nation’s maritime environment and motivate her personnel for improved output, the Service embarked on numerous infrastructural and administrative or welfare projects across the Navy:



Operational Capacity Building. As part of the CNS Vision, the NN has greatly enhanced the capacity of her personnel by investing in operational and specialized technical manpower training with various OEMs abroad. Of significance is the MTU 2000/4000 series Engine training and the medical diagnostic equipment training with their respective manufacturers in Germany as well as the establishment of an Outboard Engine School at the NN Engineering College in Sapele to build capacity for maintenance of the about 1,000 outboard engines in the navy’s inventory. The NN has also reactivated the Apprenticeship Training School at Naval Dockyard Limited Lagos to help build requisite capacity for skilled artisans like welders, fitters and special equipment operators. Capacity development in these specialized areas as well as significantly contribute to NN’s capacity for the maintenance of her platforms and local shipbuilding efforts.



INADEQUATE PLATFORMS

Notably, the FGN’s ambitious intervention regarding platform acquisition has greatly boosted the NN fleet as shown on the Screen. However, the mix of platforms in the NN inventory is largely inadequate considering the scope of NN tasks and the expanse of her AOR coupled with the prospect of establishing new bases. From the TSMS in 2012, a shortfall of about 8 Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) and about 69 Fast Attack Craft exist. These adequacies have adversely affected the NN capacity to effectively secure the nation’s maritime environment thus, making sustained fleet recapitalization effort a top priority in the NN.

INADEQUATE SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE FOR MARITIME POLICING

The progress made in the current fleet recapitalization effort has exposed the magnitude of support infrastructure deficit required for the mounting and sustainment of operations. For instance, the NN does not have any standard Base in the Niger Delta Area where many of the maritime security challenges are prevalent. Thus, the NN operates from bases that are not as equipped as desired and located far inland along the creeks. In fact, NN major bases in Warri, Port Harcourt and Calabar are located between 3 to 8 hours from the coast. This results in the loss of valuable time transiting to sea in response to threats or emergencies. Accordingly, the NN is in dire need of purpose built Bases along the coast equipped with appropriate support infrastructure like jetties, POL storage and repair facilities to sustain maritime operations.

DIFFICULT OPERATING ENVIRONMENT

Maritime operation within Nigeria’s coastal waters is often burdened by the large number of wrecks and other dangers to navigation, particularly in approaches to major ports. For instance, NNS CALABAR, one of NN’s new OCEA patrol boats sank along Badagry Creek in March 2019 while 5 other patrol vessels sank between April 2018 and Jan 2020 around Escravos channel, due to collision with submerged wrecks. About 177 submerged and partially submerged wrecks have been identified along the approaches to major ports in the country. The NN has continued to interface with the Ministry of Transportation to ensure the expeditious removal of these dangers to safe navigation within the country’s waterways.

MIGRATORY TENDENCIES OF MARITIME CRIMES

The swift response of the NN to distress and illegal activities at sea has largely reduced the rate of successful attacks in Nigeria’s maritime domain. Unfortunately, recent observations have revealed a migratory trend, as many piracy/kidnappings are now being perpetrated in neighbouring countries, even though the perpetrators are alleged to be mostly of Nigerian origin. It is therefore necessary to extend NN operational activities in support of anti-piracy effort to neighbouring nation’s waters. This places additional burden on Nigeria and the NN as more ships and logistics is required for extension of these patrols.

WEAK LEGAL REGIMES

While the NN and MLEs agencies have made commendable effort in the arrest and prosecution of maritime offenders, loopholes in the nation’s judicial process such as situations which allows for endless trial periods for maritime crimes and so on continue to be exploited by criminals. This has led to prolonged litigations and several abandoned vessels across NN Bases. The effect of this lengthy trial process to the NN is evident in instances where out of the 414 vessels arrested between 2015 – date, 224 were handed over to prosecuting agencies, yet only 52 have been successfully prosecuted, leaving a balance of 270 still in the NN custody. Beyond the logistics and manpower committed to this process, the NN expends enormous resources to preserve and keep over 100 detained vessels afloat.

Due to this difficult operating environment, there is need for the NN to streamline (re-organise) her structure and operation in line with the TSMS, the CNS vision and mission. An appropriate legal framework would be necessary for the expeditious prosecution of maritime crimes in Nigeria in order to dissuade the criminals and lessen the burden on the NN for the custody of arrested vessels.

NON-DILIGENT PROSECUTION OF MARITIME RELATED CASES

In the conduct of her statutory enforcement and maritime policing roles the NN arrests numerous criminals for committing infractions in Nigeria’s maritime domain. However, unlike other enforcement agencies like the NPF, EFCC, NSCDC and NCS who prosecute arrested offenders within their areas of constitutional responsibility, the NN is not permitted to prosecute maritime suspects in civil court. The Service has to rely on lawyers from the MOD, other security agencies while retaining the services of private lawyers to prosecute maritime criminals, even though the NN has an established Directorate of Legal Services with a current strength of 60 qualified lawyers. The absence of NN lawyers in court usually denies the prosecution lawyers of expert knowledge often required to ensure diligent prosecution. In the last 4 years, the NN has lost a significant number of cases for non-diligent prosecution. The Service has also expended almost N300 million only on services provided by private lawyers at the expense of the provision other essential infrastructure for the Service.

NIGERIAN NAVY FUTURE PERSPECTIVES FOR IMPROVED OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY

In the foreseeable future, the maritime domain would continue to provide the mainstay of the nation’s economy. Government would thus have to decide between allocating scarce resources to competing demands vis-a-vis adequately providing for a robust Navy to safeguard critical national assets. To enhance NN’s ability to achieve its mission objectives, the Service is articulating new perspectives taking into cognizance its past experiences, current operational realities and the contemporary strategic security environment. Accordingly, with due cognizance of the limited resource allocation in the face of other compelling national needs, NN’s future policy direction will seek to optimize technology, broaden its partnership and funding base for effective delivery of maritime security.

UPGRADE OF NN MARITIME DOMAIN AWARENESS CAPACITY

The NN intends to continue to invest in MDA infrastructure as a force multiplier towards enhanced operational efficiency. Improved surveillance capacity will thus be pursued to ensure a complete real-time picture of Nigeria’s maritime environment that will focus NN operations and save the huge cost associated with prolonged presence at sea. The completion of the ongoing FE System and follow-on maintenance of the MDA systems will thus be critical lines of effort to enhance knowledge of the nation’s maritime environment for improved ocean governance. Effort is also on-going to integrate tactical and operational UAVs into the MDA systems to ensure all-round surveillance of the heavily forested back waters which are not fully covered by existing infrastructure. Accordingly, the NN is making plans for the acquisition of Backwaters Terrain Dominance System to enhance its domain awareness capability.

UPGRADE OF NN HYDROGRAPHIC DEPARTMENT

Requisite hydrographic capability is one of the key enablers in the attainment of a sustainable blue economy for the nation. The NN intends to develop hydrographic capacity beyond mere survey services to the production of relevant charts to incorporating data relevant to the blue economy and national security. Accordingly, in addition to the recent induction of the hydrography ship; NNS LANA on 17 May 21, survey boats and associated equipment, efforts are ongoing to upgrade the NN Hydrographic Department to a National Hydrographic Agency (NHA) to attract independent funding to drive attainment of its future objectives in line with best practices. To this end, the NN made a presentation recently on a bill for an act to establish the National Hydrographic Agency to carry out hydrographic and oceanographic surveys including ocean meteorology for national defence and civil requirements.

CONSOLIDATION OF NIGERIAN NAVY FLEET RENEWAL PROGRAMME

The NN’s ability to effectively deliver improved maritime security for the nation would be greatly enhanced if critical equipment shortfall in the areas of operating platforms and key infrastructure are addressed. Critical platforms including ships and aircraft are crucial for maritime operations. To this end, the NN is currently in the process of acquiring new vessels as well as several aircraft including 4 x A109E Helicopters and 3 x A109 Grand New Helicopters for the Deep Blue Project as well as another AW 139 Military Grade Helicopter for troop’s insertion, extraction and light interdiction missions while effort is also ongoing to conclude the extension of Naval Air Base Ojo runway. Going forward, the NN seeks to strengthen ongoing discussions with OEMs to commence local shipbuilding within the country as a sustainable means of guaranteeing fleet availability and readiness.

DELIBERATE DEVELOPMENT OF FORWARD OPERATIONS BASES

A focused and deliberate development of suitable NN Bases from existing FOBs at Bonny, Formoso, Ibaka and Escravos including support logistics infrastructure to aid mounting of operations is critical to NN’s operational efficiency. Accordingly, it is expedient that appropriate jetties, POL logistic depots and basic yard maintenance infrastructure are developed at the FOB in Ibaka, Bonny, Brass, Escravos and Takwa Bay.




EXPANSION OF NN SPECIAL OPERATIONS CAPABILITY

[b]The nation’s security environment remains fluid and is expected to continue to be characterized by asymmetric threats in the foreseeable future. Hence, the land spectrum of NN’s TSMS is increasingly being challenged by CT/COIN operations in several parts of the country. Already, the NNSBS is active in several joint operations across the country but will need to be regularly rejuvenated in personnel and equipment. To better meet the tasks imposed by COIN operations, the NN intends to establish 3 additional commands such as the Coast Guard, Naval Aviation and Special Warfare as well as train more personnel in commando/naval infantry roles. Also, there is plan to establish new operations Bases at EPE in Lagos State and Ogwuta in Imo State while a logistics training school is slated for Kano State. [/b]Relatedly, the NN in collaboration with NEMA intends to bolster its disaster response capability arising from the cases of flash flooding being experienced across the country since 2012. Furthermore, enhanced capability in Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal (NEOD) and underwater clearance operations would be given the priorities that they deserve. These special operations forces/capability would form the nucleus of the much desired special operations command.


The completion of the FE infrastructure along the nation’s coast line as well as the integration of UAVs and the Backwaters Terrain Dominance System would ensure full coverage of the EEZ including the heavily forested backwaters. This will improve NN’s MDA capability for effective surveillance of the maritime environment. On this note, Commandant, Members of Faculty and Participants, I thank you for your rapt attention. As we always say in the Nigerian Navy, Onward Together.


https://www.navy.mil.ng/2021/08/06/cns-vision-and-mission-statement-for-the-nn-a-lecture-delivered-by-the-chief-of-the-naval-staff-vice-admiral-az-gambo-am-gss-psc-ensp-rsa-mtm-mnim-musni-fcis-fiips-fcai-to-participants-of/

A good read. Brilliant. Consolidation of multifaceted tactical and strategic operations. It tickles the ear to know along with new dedicated UAVs, new Special Mission Helicopters, 2 new Maritime Patrol Planes also 3 new commands are to be stood up for the Navy, a Coast Guard, Naval Aviation and a Special Warfare Command (Special Operations) in addition to Naval Infantry. With the proposed acquisition of Frigates and potential Sub-Marines most non-blue-water vessels would be seconded to the Coast Guard to stream line operations. I think even the Americans nay our African brothers will be jealous or proud. I don't know anyone in these parts that comes close to such capabilities or even active at this level of Naval operations. Gentlemen, Welcome to the 21st Century Nigerian Navy Total Spectrum Maritme Strategy (TSMS). As they say in the Nigerian Navy ONWARD TOGETHER. Bravo!

We have since set sail. To look back and see how far we have come from being derided by our Southie folks who now struggle to even muster a few hours at sea deserves praise.

It is time to buy that menacing Frigate for the Nigerian Navy and bring back some form of Romanus Imperium in this part of the world.

Inset: A heavily armed modern Danish Frigate ready for any eventuality whatsoever. Seeing anything like this close to your waters should put the fear of God and cancel any doubt.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SI8QgfuaucY

Nigerian Navy SBS Special Warfare Operators in mountain range simultaneous rapel & fire

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8eOlaNp07Z/?utm_medium=copy_link

NN SBS Operators deployed in the Gambia against potential asymmetric threats including against the unseen feared Junglers the death squad of deposed strongman Yahya Jammeh

Written by yours truly.

Senegalese Next-Generation L-39NG acquisition in limbo


The Senegalese Air Force (Armée de l’Air du Senegal) is supposed to receive four brand new L-39NG jets from Czech manufacturer Aero Vodochody, but it appears that delivery have been stalled.

Read more:
https://www.theaviator.co.ug/2511-2/

SuperSixSeven:

1. The biggest challenge is to manage the production process, everyone in the industry knows that Look at Tesla, their products are highly innovative and there is demand but still they struggle in terms of quantity and quality. The success of VW and Toyota is based on their unmatched perfected supply, logistics and production management. This is why those mentioned countries followed this route.

2. People ignore the fact that the Ezwugu MRAP and the ARA 1 have nothing in common, beside the they are based on a Ukrainian truck chassis. The ARA 1 design has some foreign influence - by SA engineers.

Stop thinking about billion dollar companies where millions of pre-orders are made even before production hits the assembly line .... Tesla, Toyota, VW are all established and trusted brand names, while what we are talking about here is basically creating a startup and you're already stuck at the idea of not meeting demands, so basically we shouldn't even bother doing the research and prototyping cause well we will never be able to produce 500,000 units a year when we become established brand name?

Covid-19 was a wake up call that Africa needs to start depending on ourselves in Research, Science and Technology... Would the Nigeria Airforce have made a ventilator if they used your logic? https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/394604-coronavirus-ventilator-fabricated-by-naf-ready-for-use-official.html

Where did they suddenly get this expertise to fabricate this life saving equipment especially given the fact that Nigeria had only 350 ventilators before the pandemic https://www.brookings.edu/blog/future-development/2020/07/02/how-well-has-nigeria-responded-to-covid-19/

What's stopping NAF airforce going back to the design board and perfecting this ventilator then mass producing it for every hospital in Nigeria and possibly beyond? This should be the new way of thinking.. lets put money in research and see what our brightest minds come up with before we even think about how we are going to mass produce the successful prototypes that they come up with.

Those are my 2cents

Covert1:
We have since set sail. To look back and see how far we have come from being derided by our Southie folks who now struggle to even muster a few hours at sea deserves praise.

If Nigeria wants to mock any Military in this world it shouldn't be the South African Military. Even if we end up having more equipment than them which we don't. We can never field the level of skilled and refined experience that they have to boast of...

That's if a miracle happen and we manage to have even half of what they have in terms of equipment.

The South Africans are not jokers. They don't go about serving biscuit to children when there is serious business to be done. They go about shooting and cocking their guns and shooting and shooting some more.

Salatavor:
If Nigeria wants to mock any Military in this world it shouldn't be the South African Military. Even if we end up having more equipment than them which we don't. We can never field the level of skilled and refined experience that they have to boast of...

That's if a miracle happen and we manage to have even half of what they have in terms of equipment.

The South Africans are not jokers. They don't go about serving biscuit to children when there is serious business to be done. They go about shooting and cocking their guns and shooting and shooting some more.

Apparently you don't live on this planet and allows whatever your befuddled mind tells it to think. That you can write some English doesn't actually mean you can make sense.

Even the South African Military themselves reading you comparing them with the Nigerians in terms of active duty combat capabilities across board both in men and material in today's world will be laughing themselves at the irony of your statement let alone any serious military analyst. You need a better weed to smoke along with the ghosts putting likes on your ignominious diatribe. Allow me laugh abeg

Refined skill and experience mbok with commanders who can't even match in step World war 11 equipment ni Oya comedy man salator give us some new jokes you sabi am

Stargate254:



What's stopping NAF airforce going back to the design board and perfecting this ventilator then mass producing it for every hospital in Nigeria and possibly beyond? This should be the new way of thinking.. lets put money in research and see what our brightest minds come up with before we even think about how we are going to mass produce the successful prototypes that they come up with.

Those are my 2cents

What was holding them back is that setting up a factory to produce ventilators is not the job of an Air Force to do so. It does not make economically sense for them, not to speak that it takes months/years to build such a facility - Covid will be over then. We should follow the path of Turkey and South Korea and invite the private sector to produce items we need, let it be in in license to begin with. Better grow an environment first where innovative ideas can be transformed into useful products - by the private sector for the public sector.

Nigeria

..